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What is it?
The Polar Project is an ambitious series of environment-based installation artworks conceived and created by internationally exhibiting artist Erika Blumenfeld. Focusing on the distinct and sublime phenomena of light, sky, and sound in the Arctic and Antarctica, The Polar Project presents real-time sensory installations that evoke a profound and immediate visceral experience of the Polar Regions.
Like many, Blumenfeld feels that the Arctic and Antarctica are a part of our world's natural heritage, and The Polar Project's mission is to capture the natural environment of these precious regions to preserve their image and voice for future generations and to inspire awareness and change now. The point at which the wonder of natural phenomena begins to awaken the mind and imagination is the point at which art, science and humanity meet, and The Polar Project's vision is to harmonize these perspectives.
Using state-of-the-art technology, The Polar Project's efforts will culminate in a series of full-surround real-time video and audio installations, which invite the viewer to step inside a complete sensory sanctuary and thus become a witness to its atmosphere and environment. Blumenfeld will travel The Polar Project's installation, in tandem with its educational program, to the most populated cities around the globe in order to engage more broadly with the current environmental concerns.
Although seemingly far away from most contemporary life, the Arctic and Antarctica are in fact crucial to humanity's future and the Earth's stability. Direct contact with the Polar environment is experienced by relatively few people compared to the vast number who will be affected by the result of continued climate shifts and glacial melting. With the considerable increase in scientific research addressing climate change and global warming, Blumenfeld believes that it is an important moment to launch a globally oriented artistic project.
The urgency of bringing such an experience to public view cannot be overemphasized. Blumenfeld has gathered considerable support and interest for The Polar Project since first conceiving of the idea in 2004, and has established an advisory team of highly specialized and expert scientists, engineers, technologists, arts professionals and environmentalists who are committed to her vision. As such, The Polar Project is truly a collaborative effort across various fields of innovation and a public artwork operating within a broad global conversation.