Project Summary

Using infrared landscape photography “The Paradox Spectrum” is an artistic investigation into the ways in which 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 sounds and voice recordings, as well as 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.

Conceptual Framework

Infrared light is a vital factor in facilitating life and determining our climate by the process known as the Greenhouse Effect. Concerning this matter, 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 gases (such as CO2) to a planet, then what happens is the sunlight comes in as before. But when the surface tries to radiate the space in the infrared, it is 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 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, it’s inference for the potential future, and our place in it.

Project Status

After successful trips during the winter 2023 to Svalbard, Norway to attend the Spitsbergen Artist Residency and South Greenland, the project will continue in North America. Currently photographs created from Svalbard are now being printed at The Bakery Photographic Collective in Portland, Maine in preparation for the exhibition. The next round of image collection starts in April, 2024 where the project heads to Vancouver Island to attend the “a Position on Retreat” Artist Residency. The journey west from the east coast will visit such locatoin as Smoking Mountains National Park (NP), Rocky Mountains NP, Redwoods NP, Glacial Bay NP, Banff NP, Glacier NP, and more. Future hopeful locations include Auyuittuq National Park (Baffin Island), Denali National Park / Gates of The Arctic National Park (Alaska), and Antarctica.

The project is currently seeking creative ways of offsetting and reducing it's carbon footprint. Please feel free to email me if you'd like to support this effort.

Educational Outreach

Along the travels of this project, the intention is to hold pop-up educational talks, explaining the relationship of The Greenhouse Effect to humans through infrared, speak to the experiences of my travels, and show the artwork created in the process. Potential locations for such talks are at both American and Canadian National Parks, local libraries, schools, and artist collectives. Longer more elaborate pop-ups in locations here I’ll be staying longer than a few days may include audio presentations and video conference guests from Svalbard, South Greenland, and others I have met along the way.

Presentation

Once the works are collected, sorted, and printed, the exhibition will consist of:

Large format landscape prints (24”x36”+)

Supplemental writings from scientists speaking to Climate Change and The Greenhouse Effect

Infrared drone imagery and video

Process photography of project travels

Ambient sounds recorded on location playing

Music driven from biometric data collected on locations

A process book - proceeds will help fund Climate Change solutions

Lectures and Q&A sessions, including guest via Zoom