the Modeling; Albedo Patterns (2022) | 100 x 150cm | mixedmedia_Digital [including shadowed topography of Mary Bird Land
data sourced from fully-automatic DEM extraction software]
With
the launch of the
Reference
Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA),
providing
the highest
resolution
terrain datasets
to
date, the
dream
to
map out the
fabled
continent of
Antarctica
and
uncover it’s secrets
seems to be near
fulfilment.
At
the same time, this
detailed topographic
record
can only be experienced
through
some
kind of
scientific mediation. REMA
is
constructed from thousands of
images and Digital Elevation Models from
various satellites, producing
footage
about geologic
phenomena
that no human could possibly witness. At
least not from earth’s
surface.
One
must enter
in
polar orbit
(and
stay there)
to
appreciate the
continent’s
gradual transformation. Apart
from the physical displeasures, the
result would be quite
disorientating
due
to the loss of a stable horizon. Because
with
this
loss of horizon also comes the departure of a stable paradigm of
orientation, which supports
concepts like up and down,
and
renders them useless.
Like the extraordinary achievement displayed by REMA, The Modeling: Albedo Patterns celebrate the capacities of humanity to create a technological sublime. But at the same time tries to reassess our fixed paradigm of orientation, reflecting the relationship between our perception of landscape formation and the visual technologies that shape this perception.
Like the extraordinary achievement displayed by REMA, The Modeling: Albedo Patterns celebrate the capacities of humanity to create a technological sublime. But at the same time tries to reassess our fixed paradigm of orientation, reflecting the relationship between our perception of landscape formation and the visual technologies that shape this perception.
the Modeling; Albedo Patterns is part of the upcoming 2nd edition of Antarktikos, Light and Shadow (2023). ANTARKTIKOS is a print magazine, published once a year. This annual journal combines artistic and scientific exploration within the inspiring and thought-provoking context of Antarctica.