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A creative journey throuh Arctic research |
18 August 2024 |
This summer, Sanne and Floortje spent two weeks at the Netherlands Arctic Station, fully immersing
themselves in the world of Arctic research. Sanne, who first visited the station in 2017 and 2018 as a
student, now returns with a PhD in Arctic freshwater ecology from the University of Copenhagen.
Floortje, a visual artist and certified guide in Svalbard, combines her expertise in audiovisual
community art projects with her work as an expedition leader. Floortje and Sanne on their way to Ny-Ålesund. For years, they observed how important and fascinating the work at the Arctic Station and in Ny- Ålesund is, yet how often it remains inaccessible to the public. This inspired them to launch a project focused on science communication and artistic research in Svalbard. For two weeks, they participated in fieldwork at the Arctic Station, capturing the research through images and sound. They believe that the creative aspect of fieldwork makes scientific processes more comprehensible and engaging. What do you take with you into the field? What do you smell and see? Do the two scientists in the field agree on their observations? Are you still alert enough for polar bears? Which exact location do you choose for your research (or perhaps a metre to the left)? Why are those birds suddenly making that sound?  Floortje films Maaike as she shows her freshly collected zooplankton sample. By documenting the sounds, images, and experiences of the research in a multimedia archive, Sanne and Floortje aim to present these scientific efforts in a sensory, interactive way. Their findings will be showcased through audiovisual presentations and creative workshops. In April 2025, they will collaborate with Artica Svalbard (https://www.articasvalbard.no) to organise workshops for local youth in Longyearbyen, where the archive will be used in a playful manner.  Maarten and the other researchers have each created a subjective map of Kongsfjorden with personal memories, stories, and experiences. These are part of the archive. With plans for short films, podcasts, and more, Sanne and Floortje are actively seeking funding and venues in the Netherlands to share their work with a broader audience. This item is written by Floortje and Sanne | |
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