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25 November 2019 – 14 February 2020

Arup presents Ice Floor, a new Phase 2 commission about climate change that has been developed by UK born artist Wayne Binitie in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey, a world leading centre for polar science. Since 1979 summer sea-ice extent in the Arctic has reduced at 10% per decade. Some major glaciers that drain the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have accelerated by as much as 50%, adding to sea level rise.

The installation explores the vulnerability of these regions to global warming and how they are subject to conditions like ‘calving’ (large chunks of ice breaking away at random moments).

Deep ice cores from the polar regions have revealed more about the link between climate change and the atmosphere than any other scientific technique. In a cold room, specially created for the exhibition,slices taken from Antarctic ice cores appear to float on a solid ice floor.

Over time, the temperature of the environment around Ice Floor will increase affecting its solidity and draw our attention to its fragility. The lighting alludes to the beauty of the pristine polar regions while the sound above and beneath the floor uses audio recordings made by Binitie of air bubbles trapped in ancient ice cores, an environment in danger from climate warming.

The exhibition has been made possible through collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey. Cirrus Lighting provided some of the lighting.

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Phase 2 is a public programme of exhibitions and events that explores the intersection between art, design and engineering. Founded in 2008, the programme supports new collaborations across these disciplines as well as showcasing stories from Arup’s cultural heritage. Phase 2 also presents artists whose work provides fresh perspectives on the built environment.

Arup 8 Fitzroy St London W1T 4BJ
 

Exhibition opening hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-6pm
Closed Bank Holidays Admission free

For more information, please contact phase2@arup.com:

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