Glacial Optics: Creating Lenses from Arctic Ice for Glacier Photography

Embark on a 42-minute journey with artist Tristan Duke as he recounts his extraordinary arctic expedition to create lenses from glacial ice. Discover the innovative process of capturing photographic portraits of glaciers using lenses made from their own ice. Follow Duke's adventure sailing north of the 78th parallel on a three-masted tall ship in search of pristine glacial ice. Explore the custom-made tools designed for shaping ice into perfect lenses and the specially built tent camera for recording giant 4x8-foot negatives. Delve into the engineering challenges, conceptual questions, and aesthetic considerations faced during this three-year project, all while battling harsh arctic conditions. Gain insight into the Glacial Optics project, which uses glaciers as both literal and metaphorical lenses to understand our relationship with climate change. Learn about Duke's artistic approach to addressing unmitigated climate disaster through this unique photographic endeavor.

Glacial Optics