2004 Expedition

Circumnavigating the main island of the Svalbard archipelago and sailing almost as far north as possible.

10–26 September 2004
Longyearbyen – Kinvika – Tromsø
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

The second Cape Farewell Art/Science Expedition launched on the 10th September 2004 with the objective of creating art works towards an exhibition in 2006, developing a new GCSE science education module and conducting oceanography measurements and experiments in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The voyage combined the arts, science and media with the adventure of the High Arctic expedition.

The Cape Farewell crew circumnavigated Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard archipelago, aboard the Noorderlicht – sailing almost as far North as possible. The oceans they sailed hold the key to measuring and understanding how the planet is warming and to what degree this will effect our urban lives.

The on board scientists involved the whole crew in ocean experiments that monitored these seas – revealing the information and secrets locked under this cold and icy surface. The artists continued their work with the scientists, being inspired by the ice, seas and extreme environment to find new and innovative ways to represent this extraordinary place and the implications of climate change.

“Was that pale blue dream true? … It was a journey to another world without the galling necessity of death. The desolation and absoluteness of the 80th parallel and its neighbourhood wrestles with everything we carry around in our choice-drowned heads. Its pared-down world of clicking ice and sharp air, its spectral animals and light games, these are True. To hell with Real.”

Michèle Noach

Supported by Nesta, Arts Council England, British Council: Norway, Lighthouse Foundation, the Geographical Association, Greenpeace Environmental Trust and Somerset House. Proud to partner with National Oceanography Centre: Southampton, the Royal Navy, RSA Arts & Ecology, Big Heart Media, Bullet Creative and Oceanwide Expeditions.

  • David Buckland – Expedition leader and artist
  • Dr Simon Boxall – Oceanographer
  • Quentin Cooper – Presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Material World
  • Max Eastley – Musician/sound recordist
  • David Hinton – Film director
  • Heather Ackroyd – Artist
  • Dan Harvey – Artist
  • Alex Hartley – Artist
  • Gautier Deblonde, Artist
  • Sarah Fletcher – Oceanographer
  • Michèle Noach – Artoonist
  • Nick Edwards – Artist
  • Colin Izod – Director, Big Heart Media
  • Kathy Barber – Artist and designer
  • Michael Vingoe – Teacher
  • Albert Bailey – Sound recordist, Big Heart Media
  • Philip Chavannes – Cameraperson, Big Heart Media
  • Joe Chapman – Cameraperson and technical advisor, Big Heart Media
  • Sean Buckland – Student
  • Emily Boxall – Student

Cape Farewell is a charitable organisation made possible through sponsorship, partnerships and donations. We would like to thank the following companies and organisations for their generous support in making the 2004 Art/Science Expedition possible:

  • Nesta
  • Arts Council England
  • National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
  • The Royal Navy
  • British Council, Norway
  • Lighthouse Foundation
  • Geographical Association
  • Greenpeace Environmental Trust
  • RSA Arts & Ecology
  • Somerset House
  • Big Heart Media
  • Bullet Creative
  • Oceanwide Expeditions

Among the key expedition sponsors were NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, an organisation that invests in UK creativity and innovation. Set up by Act of Parliament in 1998, NESTA uses the interest on a National Lottery endowment to pioneer ways of supporting and promoting innovation and creativity across science, technology, the arts and learning. NESTA was created to invest at the highest point of risk, and offer individuals, groups and small businesses the time, space, money and support to push at the frontiers of knowledge and practice.

See Also

exhibition installation view

Art & Climate Change

Our first major touring exhibition created in partnership with the Natural History Museum
figures walk on ice in a vast Arctic landscape

Art From The Arctic

Our first film, directed by David Hinton and co-produced by the BBC, seen by a worldwide audience of over 12 million in TV broadcasts and film festivals across the world
Burning Ice book cover

Burning Ice

Cape Farewell’s first major book title, republished in 2016 to mark it’s 10th anniversary. Available for £20

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