Antarctic Inspiration
Antarctica itself is a cliched idea so you'll need to develop a new way of looking at the theme, such as the underwater/in-air photograph on the left which totally destroys your sense of perspective on the seal. A pretty picture of icebergs, mountains and cute animals will not earn you many marks in a major work!
Think laterally about things that Antarctica could represent: unexplored territory, bravery and sacrifice (the story of Scott or Shackleton), death (whiteness), nature vs humankind (as a battle for survival or as a statement about human impact), pollution, biodiversity, migrating animals and birds, global warming...
You should also think about less obvious elements of Antarctic:
Human remains
Polar coral reefs
Endless days and/or/nights at the pole
Aroura Australis (southern lights)
Ice breaker ships
The process of freezing and melting
Textures of ice and snow
Microspoic organisms living in water ice or rock
Places to look for ideas include magazines National Geographic and Australia Geographic Magazines (NF 900s) or Scientriffic and Helix (NF 500s); and documentaries such as David Attenburgh's Life in the Freezer series (Ms Carmyn has a copy). National Geographic also have a short video overview of Antarctic habitats.
IYP Educational posters [http://www.grida.no/polar/ipy/2844.aspx] have downlaodable information posters about the polar regions.
Think laterally about things that Antarctica could represent: unexplored territory, bravery and sacrifice (the story of Scott or Shackleton), death (whiteness), nature vs humankind (as a battle for survival or as a statement about human impact), pollution, biodiversity, migrating animals and birds, global warming...
You should also think about less obvious elements of Antarctic:
Human remains
Polar coral reefs
Endless days and/or/nights at the pole
Aroura Australis (southern lights)
Ice breaker ships
The process of freezing and melting
Textures of ice and snow
Microspoic organisms living in water ice or rock
Places to look for ideas include magazines National Geographic and Australia Geographic Magazines (NF 900s) or Scientriffic and Helix (NF 500s); and documentaries such as David Attenburgh's Life in the Freezer series (Ms Carmyn has a copy). National Geographic also have a short video overview of Antarctic habitats.
IYP Educational posters [http://www.grida.no/polar/ipy/2844.aspx] have downlaodable information posters about the polar regions.
Other artists
The Australian Antarctic Division run a special fellowship that takes artists to live in Antarctica at the Science bases each summer. Have a look at how the experience has inspired the following artists:
Tina Evans (dancer/choreographer - check out the way she uses fabric) [http://tinaevansperformance.com/2012/09/10/body-of-ice-in-argentina/]
Stephan Eastough (spent an entire year "in a place with no rain, family, money, shops, police, grass, rivers, streets, animals, neon signs, crowds, sex, flowers, strangers, trees nor mobile phones in
a climate not designed for humans" - paints on unusual canvases; images of life their not just the landscape)[http://www.stepheneastaugh.com.au/art.html]
Judith Parrott (photographer) [http://www.judithparrott.com/photos/antartica/antartica.html]
Alison Lester (children's illustrator whose website has maps, photos and a virtual exhibition of kids art) [http://www.alisonlester.citymax.com/page/page/1781659.htm]
Antartica-themed art shows
Canberra Drill Hall, 2013. Includes Sidney Nolan [ ], Philip Hughs [], Chris Drury [], Anne Noble, phoographer [], Jan Senbergs[], Bea Maddocks[], Jorg Schmeisser, printmaker []. Photos in Australian Art Review, Sept-Oct 2012.
Tina Evans (dancer/choreographer - check out the way she uses fabric) [http://tinaevansperformance.com/2012/09/10/body-of-ice-in-argentina/]
Stephan Eastough (spent an entire year "in a place with no rain, family, money, shops, police, grass, rivers, streets, animals, neon signs, crowds, sex, flowers, strangers, trees nor mobile phones in
a climate not designed for humans" - paints on unusual canvases; images of life their not just the landscape)[http://www.stepheneastaugh.com.au/art.html]
Judith Parrott (photographer) [http://www.judithparrott.com/photos/antartica/antartica.html]
Alison Lester (children's illustrator whose website has maps, photos and a virtual exhibition of kids art) [http://www.alisonlester.citymax.com/page/page/1781659.htm]
Antartica-themed art shows
Canberra Drill Hall, 2013. Includes Sidney Nolan [ ], Philip Hughs [], Chris Drury [], Anne Noble, phoographer [], Jan Senbergs[], Bea Maddocks[], Jorg Schmeisser, printmaker []. Photos in Australian Art Review, Sept-Oct 2012.
Aurora Australis
The Aurora Australis or Southern Lights form in a ring around the South Pole. They are caused by fluctuations in the "solar wind" (HEY GOOD TITLE FOR A MAJOR WORK!) which react with the Eath's maganetic field. Obviously they are best seen in winter and can be viewed as far North as New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia and Chile and Argentina in South America. These articles will provide a basis for further exploration of this phenomenon:
Antarctic Connection [http://www.antarcticconnection.com/shopcontent.asp?-aurora] has excellent readable infomation obout how the lights form
Aurora Australis: Chasing the Southern Lights [http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/aurora-australis-chasing-the-southern-lights.htm]. You can also find this article in the Jan 2013 edition of Australian Geographic which is in the NF 900 section.
Aurora Australis, Tasmania [http://www.auroraaustralistasmania.org/] has an interesting gallery of photos by Tasmanian photographers
This
Sydney Morning Herald link [http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/new-aurora-australis-view-from-space-20110929-1kyh9.html] has a video of teh Aurora Australis as seen from space.
Antarctic Connection [http://www.antarcticconnection.com/shopcontent.asp?-aurora] has excellent readable infomation obout how the lights form
Aurora Australis: Chasing the Southern Lights [http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/aurora-australis-chasing-the-southern-lights.htm]. You can also find this article in the Jan 2013 edition of Australian Geographic which is in the NF 900 section.
Aurora Australis, Tasmania [http://www.auroraaustralistasmania.org/] has an interesting gallery of photos by Tasmanian photographers
This
Sydney Morning Herald link [http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/new-aurora-australis-view-from-space-20110929-1kyh9.html] has a video of teh Aurora Australis as seen from space.
Under the Ice
Most people thinking about antacrtica leave out the world under the ice. They are unaware that Antarcica is home to coral reefs and other unusual habitats filled with specially adapted organisms.