artcircolo
artcircolo (Dr. Serafine Lindemann, Kalle Laar, Dr. Bernd Wiemann, Dr. Ludwig Braun)
Calling the Glacier is a project where a microphone was positioned at the top of a glacier that members of the public could phone up to hear the sounds of the environment. It is a part of Overtures, a North-South Expedition that looks at the issue of global water shortage and why this valuable natural resource is being overused, in spite of it being one of our most valuable natural resources. It also aims to look at how water supplies might be affected in the future, as the global climate changes.
Creative Contribution
What was the significant innovation in approach or thinking behind the project/artwork? How can this be recognisably attributed to the involvement of creative practice?
Overtures follows an expedition model, with a focus specifically on the issue of water. The aim is to interrogate the global perception of climate change and its impact on our environment. Often works of art are installed in the Arctic, such as the 2007 project "Calling the Glacier".
This work tries by means of telecommunication technologies to realize an acoustic connection to phenomena, which are caused by global warming.
Collaboration
What were the disciplinary contributors to the project? What model of research / development was followed? What were factors leading to success / problems?
artcircolo is an international organisation with no fixed exhibition space, artcircolo works out of an office in Munich, creating projects for unusual venues. It works primarily with visual artists and offers them possibilities for collaboration with technologists scientists and companies. Their focus is on environmental issues, research and communication. The project was founded in 1989.
The disciplinary contributors to "Calling the glacier" were glaciologists, researchers for new technology, artist Kalle Laar and curator S. Lindemann.
artcircolo is Dr. Serafine Lindemann (artcircolo/ curator), Kalle Laar (soundartist), Dr. Bernd Wiemann (Vodafone research & development Germany), Dr. Ludwig Braun (glaciologist)
"artcircolo is interested in how creative practice can question assumptions about recognised issues and develop new ways to look at them and introduce new methods of investigation. The continuous flow of information between interdisciplinary partners (as from art, technology, science, economy and environment) results primarily in works of art in resonance with the ecologically transformed significance of this resource.
The project also contributed to research and development of mobile technology in pathless areas, and testing of reception possibilities in different climates and glacial terrain." Dr. Serafine Lindemann (written response to this survey)
Values
What were the outcomes of the project? How were these disseminated to outside stakeholders? What models of value are implied by this project? What was the Impact of the work?
Four expeditions to Iceland, The Alps, Turkey and Spain.
Calling the Glacier by Kalle Laar is still disseminated via "Calling cards", radio, exhibitions, art festivals, conferences etc- after 18 months the phone received more than 20.000 callers.
There were many press articles about "Calling the glacier" which also spoke about scientific backgrounds etc.
"The project is conceived to raise awareness for local values and resources, and to give an impulse for a new understanding of an individual's place within a changing world.
The glaciologist found a "new" effective way to communicate their knowledge by the means of art." Dr. Serafine Lindemann (written response to this survey)
Links and Resources
http://www.artcircolo.de/
http://www.artcircolo.de/overtures/3/html/en/index.html
