ABOUT THE PROJECT

Great Sand Dunes

PROJECT SUMMARY

Using infrared landscape photography “The Paradox Spectrum” is an artistic investigation into how infrared light is paradoxically involved, through human influence, with climate change. This project endeavors to inspire individual creative responses to climate change through contemplation and education. In addition to photography, this project includes a collection of ambient sound recordings and music created through biometric data sourced from the landscape. The goal is to create a body of audio soundscapes, large format prints, and educational material to be displayed in educational pop-ups, visiting artist lectures, libraries, galleries, and educational institutions.

PROJECT STATUS

After successful trips to Svalbard, Norway, and South Greenland, the project continued across North America in 2024 to Vancouver Island to attend the “A Position on Retreat” artist residency. The project is currently printing photographs for exhibition and seeking funding to finish photographing the British Columbia chapter in 2025.

CURRENT LOCATIONS

Appalachia
British Columbia
Current River
Great Sand Dunes NP
Svalbard, Norway
Tallgrass Prairie NP
Yampa River

FUTURE LOCATIONS

Auyuittuq NP
Antarctica
Banff NP
Bay of Fundy
Glacier NP
Redwoods NP
Zion NP

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Infrared light is a vital factor in facilitating life and determining our climate by the process known as the Greenhouse Effect. Celebrated scientist Professor Carl Sagan addressed the question of what determines the Earth’s climate in his 1985 Congressional testimony below:

“Not all the light that arrives at the Earth from the Sun goes to heating the Earth. Some of it is reflected back. What the Earth radiates into space is in the infrared part of the spectrum. If you add infrared absorbing gasses (such as CO2) to a planet, the sunlight comes in as before. But when the surface tries to radiate the space in the infrared, it’s blocked. And so, the surface temperature has to rise so that there is an equilibrium between what comes in and what goes out.”

The solution to this dilemma requires perspectives that reflect and act from the mysterious bond that exists between the spiritual and material nature of existence. With this understanding, “The Paradox Spectrum” utilizes infrared photography (NIR, SWIR) to capture the landscape of Nature’s spiritual and material unity. Not only does this provide a photographic means of inspiring imagination in relation to climate and climate change; it invites the observer into a deeper contemplation concerning the documented present moment, its inference for the potential future, and our place in it.

SPONSORED BY

SUPPORT

THIS PROJECT

Please consider purchasing a print or making a direct donation to support the next steps in this project. Funds will be used for finishing the next chapter of the project called “STAND” which highlights multiple First Nation conservation success stories in colonial British Columbia. Purchases and donations over $300 will receive an 8x10 print from the 2024-2025 expeditions.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

Support for this project is provided by the American Rescue Plan Maine Project Grants, a subgranting program administered by SPACE Gallery for the National Endowment for the Arts

Jim Buckly
Erin Enberg
Zeus Illios
Kristin Lash
Jocelyn Leighton
Chris Loughran
Todd Megrath

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS

Caroline & Terry Merrill
James McLay
Jessica & Ryan Richards
Rebecca Roberts
Daniel Stephens
David Sywalski
Wolfe Editions

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

a Position on Retreat