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.