Antarctica

The exhibition Antarctica is based on the Ortas’ 2007 expedition to the Antarctic peninsula where they created a temporary “village” of domelike tents to highlight the efforts of those struggling to cross borders and gain the freedom of movement necessary to escape conflict or natural disaster. Preserved as an area for scientific research with aims to protect the environment and to encourage international cooperation by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, Antarctica embodies utopia: a continent whose extreme climate encourages mutual aid and solidarity, freedom of research, sharing, and collaboration for the good of the planet. Each Dome Dwelling, one of which will be on display, is made from flags from nations around the world and affixed with clothes and gloves, further symbolizing the multiplicity and diversity of people and the freedom of crossing borders. Drop Parachutes and Life-Line – Survival Kit, two other major elements of the series, incorporate dueling points of view: help is urgently needed/help has arrived. Laden with the tools of survival, they signal urgency and emergency. The core of the project and the centerpiece of the exhibition is The Antarctic World Passport Delivery Bureau (2008-ongoing), an architectural structure built with reclaimed materials recently installed at the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation in Geneva and the Grand Palais in Paris during the COP21 Climate Summit. This public engagement artwork invites visitors to collect their personalized edition of the Antarctica World Passport (1995-ongoing), and join the tens of thousands of people who have registered to become members of the online Antarctica World Community