Poles Apart // Pulling Together

From science to society - A celebration of IPY contributions to the global good

POLES APART // PULLING TOGETHER is an educational photo exhibition that will honour and celebrate the contributions of polar science research to the betterment of society globally. The exhibition highlights achievements in Arctic and Antarctic research of the International Polar Year (IPY). It will feature in international venues beginning in February 2009.

Concept
The exhibition connects the science research in two of the harshest environments on Earth, the Arctic and Antarctic, to the social and cultural response to climate change in the North and around the world. The Polar Regions are the front lines of climate change, and new knowledge from these regions is essential for understanding how our climate is changing and how those changes will impact humanity.

The exhibition is built around four theme areas: Polar science, Scientific and traditional knowledge, Communicating polar science, From science to citizenship. Individually, each of these themes will tell an interesting story. When combined, they will tell a compelling story that profiles cutting edge scientific research in the Polar Regions, how it is being manifest in human responses to climate change, and its invaluable contributions to the global good.

In March 2009, the International Polar Year research and education outreach programs will have completed two years of rigorous science explorations in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Although it will be several more years before the data is analyzed and the scientific papers are published, the end of this two year research cycle is the perfect time to celebrate the successes of this international, multi-disciplinary cooperative program.

Themes
We invite submissions of original photographic work that address any of the following themes:

           •    Polar science: What new areas of research are advancing our understanding of
                 climate change?
           •    Scientific and traditional knowledge: How has traditional knowledge informed
                 scientific understanding of issues in the Polar Regions?
           •    Communicating polar science: How is polar science research being communicated
                 and translated into social and cultural change?
           •    Global citizenship: How are citizens around the world drawing on polar science
                 research and traditional knowledge to actively engage on important global issues?

Venues (pending)
Reception announcing IPY research discoveries, UN Palais, Geneva, Switzerland. February 25, 2009
Celebration of IPY science for Arctic Counsel and Antarctic Treaty Consultative meeting, Washington, DC. April 2009
International Polar Year major conference, Oslo, Norway. June 8-12, 2010
Plus additional venues to be announced

Formats
The exhibition is being developed with minimizing its ecological footprint top-of-mind. We are therefore developing the venue in two formats – digital and hybrid digital and print.

            •    The digital format will comprise a set of digital images that are projected in a loop,
                  using state-of-the-art projection technology and high-resolution image files, onto
                  screens or white walls.
            •    Hybrid digital and print will use both projected images and printed images, with
                  prints being produced locally using sustainable materials.

Whichever mode is used for a given venue, there will be an accompanying web-based version that extends the legacy of the project and makes it accessible to a wider audience.

The development team
ANDRILL, 2degreesC and Cape Farewell are leading on this initiative, with the support of the IPY International programme Office. Contributors and additional partners will be engaged throughout the process to produce a rich and cohesive story, and to produce engaging exhibitions in celebration of this work.

Louise Huffman, Education and Outreach Coordinator at ANDRILL, and Sandy Clipsham, Communications Lead
at 2degreesC, are co-chairing the initiative.

How to apply
Submit 3 or 4 low-resolution photos (<1 Mb per image) with accompanying captions to polesapart@2degreesC.com along with responses to the four questions below:
        
             •    Please tell us, in one paragraph, about yourself and your organization.
             •    How does your set of photos tell a story that is consistent with the Poles Apart
                   theme?
             •    What way can the public understanding of climate change be advanced through
                   your photographs?
             •    What is the benefit to society of sharing the story the photos tell?

Deadline for submission
Sample photos and responses to the questions must be received by October 10, 2008. Download the Call for Submissions.

Contact
If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact:
     Sandy Clipsham - clipsham@2degreesC.com
     Louise Huffman - lhuffman@andrill.org

Project partners