Red Snow - Bente Elisabeth

Great news I am happy to share:
Springer has published “Transformation Literacy. Pathways to Regenerative Civilizations”. The book was initiated and edited by Professor Kristin Vala Ragnarsdottir, with co-editor Dr. Petra Künkel.
My contribution is chapter 18: “Red Snow—When the Climate Bleeds: A Nordic Art and Science Project Aimed at Overcoming Climate Apathy Through Collaboration Between Artists and Scientists.”
With generous foundation support, the book is now open access.

🇬🇧 The project “RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION / RED SNOW – WHEN THE CLIMATE BLEEDS” is presented. GREAT NEWS:

Project RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION / RED SNOW – WHEN THE CLIMATE BLEEDS.

A project with art and science, initiated and lead by artist, curator, HD/A Bente Elisabeth Endresen.
The project offers a kaleidoscopic look at the climate and natural changes happening in the Nordic countries, as seen through the eyes of artists, philosophers and researchers. It concerns us all.
What is happening to Mother Earth with the changes in nature and the Climate? We must gather and face the new reality we are causing. And create a vision for the future
– and act on it.
We owe it to the Earth, to ourselves, and to future generations. Let us enjoy life – knowing that we have done our share to make the Earth a better place to live.

Through all my life I have been fascinated by Nature and by how Climate influence our life on Earth.

The purpose of the Nordic art and science project “Red Snow – when the Climate Bleeds” was to increase people’s general knowledge about the consequences of climate change. The goal was to encourage active action on this knowledge, to inspire to appreciate and take better care of our planet Earth and to live in a more sustainable way.

Through art, we wanted to speak to people’s senses, arouse curiosity and open up new insights, presented by neutral scientific facts from which the audience could draw their own conclusions.

Our aim was to inspire people to use creativity to deal with a rapidly changing world and develop new strategies for the future. The audience was invited to a dialogue in an atmosphere of openness and active participation. They were encouraged to share their hopes for the future so they got a vision to work towards. Our goal was to be a wake-up call for action both individually and collectively and to see many stand up as the young student and say: “What can we do?”

Former President of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, opened the projects exhibition on Iceland and wrote this preface to the project’s catalog:

“As the ice melts at an unprecedented rate, the habitat of men and beasts is submerged. So sinks the home of the mind where a fragment of eternity has resided for as long as we can remember in settlements on the vast arctic ice. A fragment of the eternity of the glacier in Iceland and in the northernmost parts of the Nordic countries has become a symbol of precariousness.

It is more urgent than words can express that we stop this man-made natural catastrophe that threatens the Earth through drastic climate change and threatens most of all that life which cannot thrive without having firm ice underfoot.

With Greenlandic drumming we now try to rouse those who are still not awake to this, the greatest threat to mankind. Mixed in with the Greenlandic drumming we hear the voices of Nordic scientists who know better than anyone else the terrible effects of the glacial melting. The choir now singing of the Red Snow also includes musicians and artists, showing what cannot be expressed in words.

I especially welcome the cooperation of artists and scientists, lending their voices together to this choral suite about melting ice. I fully believe that this concerted effort of science and art will amplify the sound so that it may reach those who have been sleeping. “My concern about nature and climate change made me to gather a group of artists and scientists, all expressing concern about the climate changes we observe and how it affects nature and humans. Our aim was to inform about changes that can be observed, and also compare fluctuations with last Ice Age. The focus was the Arctic region, where climate changes are so visible.

See a video from the project: RED SNOW – when the climate bleeds.

Sponsors

Nordic Culture Fond

Nordic Culture Point

Sermerq Fond

Government of Greenland

Nunafonden

Royal Artic Line
Myndstef
Muggur

Exhibition opening in Nuuk. To the opening Katuaq was full of guests, who were met by speaches and drumsong. The opening was followed by a arrangement with scientific lectures about Climate Changes and its impact on nature in the Artic region. In between there were drum dance by Pauline Motzfeldt and the participants in our drumdance workshop.

A big thank to Government of Greenland – Naalakkersuisut/ tips og lotto, to Sermerq Fund and Nunafonden, to Royal Arctic Line and to Nordic Culture Fund and to Nordic Culture Point for their support to this project. And to Grønlands Naturinstitut/ the Nature Institute of Greenland, with whom we had meetings and lectures.

Ice in Motion had a Workhop in drumdancing in Katuaq Kulturip Illorsua in Nuuk prior to the opening of the exhibition. 10 days with dance, movement, singing and history of the ancient Greenlandic tradition, trancfered to the daily life of people in Nuuk. The drumdance can be a connection to our ancestors and a valuable contribution to our daily life, also showing us how to adjust to changes is living conditions. Pauline Motzfeldt was the skilled instructor.

Nordatlantens Brygge, Copenhagen
From: 12. juni 2015
To: 22. august 2015
A big thank you to Government of Greenland – Naalakkersuisut/ tips og lotto, to Sermerq Fond and Nunafonden for their support to this project.

RED SNOW – When the Climate Bleeds, moves to Copenhagen, at Nordatlantens Brygge, the 13.th of June – 23.th of August 2015.
RØD SNE – når klimaet bløder, på Nordatlantens Brygge, Strandgade 91. Fernisering fredag den 12.juni kl. 16-18. Udstillingen vises frem til 23.august, alle hverdage 10-17, weekend 12-17.

A kaleidoscopic look at the climate and natural changes happening in the Nordic countries, as seen through the eyes of artists, philosophers and researchers. It concerns us all.
What is happening to Mother Earth with the changes in nature and the Climate? We must gather and face the new reality we are causing. And create a vision for the future – and act on it.
We owe it to the Earth, to ourselves, and to future generations. Let us enjoy life – knowing that we have done our share to make the Earth a better place to live.

Et kalejdoskopisk blik på Nordens klima og naturens forandringer set fra kunstnerens, filosoffens og forskerens blik. Det angår os alle. Hvad sker der med jorden nu, med naturen, med klimaforandringerne?
Vi må mødes i dialog og se i øjnene hvilken virkelighed vi er ved at skabe.
Og skabe en vision for den fremtid vi ønsker for os selv og fremtidige generationer
– og handle på den.
Det skylder vi jorden, os selv og fremtidige generationer.
Lad os leve i vished om at vi efterlader jorden som et bedre sted at bo.

Nordic House, Reykjavik, Iceland
From: 15. oktober 2015
To: 25. november 2015

Next stop Iceland, with exhibition, concerts, choir, lectures and cooperation with local scientists and artists. The opening was held on the 15.th of October at 5.30 in the Nordic House in Reykjavik. To the opening we had the honour that the former president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir held the opening speech. There was also a speech by project leader Bente Elisabeth Endresen, another by professor Thoa Ellen Thorhallsdottir, welcome by the director of the Nordic House, Mikkel Harder and a performance by choir and soloists.
In the evening the project were host on a concert by Kristian Blak, Frank Aarnik og Guðni Franzson.

Sýningin Rauður snjór verður formlega opnuð í Norræna húsinu . Opnunardagskrá fer fram í hátíðarsal hússins.
Dagskrá
Kúakyn í hættu, gjörningur Magnúsar Pálssonar, í flutningi Nýlókórsins.
Mikkel Harder forstjóri Norræna hússins, Bente Elisabeth Endresen, sýningarstjóri, og Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir ávarpa gesti.
Frú Vigdís Finnbogadóttir opnar sýninguna formlega.

Kristian Blak, Frank Aarnik og Guðni Franzson flytja tónverk en þeir munu einnig koma fram á tónleikum sama kvöld kl. 19:30. Léttar veitingar.

Nordic House, Thorshavn, Faroe Islands
From: March 9, 2016
To: April 3, 2016

Project RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION is now in the Faroe Islands
The RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION project is ready to be set up at Nordens Hus in Tórshavn. Welcome to the festive celebration on 9.3. 4-6 pm. where drumdancer and -singer Pauline Motzfeldt and musician Kristian Blak entertains with his trio. Also, keep in mind that we have a fantastic Nordic concert and folk-dance at Reinsaríið the 10.3. 8 pm.
Join Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedSnowArt/
Welcome, from project manager Bente Elisabeth Endresen

In March, Red Snow held a workshop in Greenlandic drumsong and -dance in the magnificent igloo house in Tórshavn. Pauline Motzfeldt thrilled the audience. The local Greenlanders Association provided Greenlandic specialties, Whale meat, Dried Fish, Whale Sauce, etc. Uhmm. And then the participants should learn drum dance. It was not that easy and created a lot of laughter.

In the Nordic House in Torshavn oceanographer Bogi Hansen and nature geologist Lis Mogensen held two most interesting lectures on climate change and how they affect nature in general and on and around the Faroe Islands.

Project Red Snow – Ice in Motion had a concert in March at the concert house Reinsaríið with the band Ygdrasil and guest musicians. Nordic music was played on many kinds of instruments. Kristian Blak was the leader of the band. Vera Kondrateva from Siberiasang and played the drum. Angelika Nielsen was a master of violin. Villu Vesky from Estonia played the saxophone, Mikael Blak bass, Brandur Jakobsen drums and Hedin Ziska guitar. Pauline Motzfeldt facinated the audience with Greenlandic drum dance and song. Project leader Bente Elisabeth Endresen told about the idea of the project and the supportive funds. Pauline Motzfeldt made an East Greenlandic drum-flirt to the audience’s ever-increasing fun. Eivør Pallsdottir sang a new version of a Faroese hymn and a new song by Kristian Blak. Later everyone went on the floor to a dance a Faroese chain dance under the leadership of Dansifelagid in Havn. Project Red Snow – Ice in Motion is supported by the Culture Contact Nord and Nordic Culture Fund among others.

About the project RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION.
RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION. For photos, look at our Facebook page

Visual artist Bente Elisabeth Endresen, Norway/Denmark

Professor Tine Lander Rasmussen, UIT, the Arctic University of Norway

Assosiate professor Erik Thomsen, palaentologist. Aarhus University, Denmark

>Dr. Monica Kristensen, Glaciolog, meteorologist, polar explorer. Norway

Professor Emeritus Helgi Björnsson. Glaciolog/geologist. Univercity of Iceland

Professor Thora Ellen Thorhallsdottir, botanist. Univercity of Iceland

Musician Kristian Blak. Faroe Islands.

Drum dancer and singer Pauline Motzfeldt. Greenland/Denmark

Visual artist Julia Pars. Greenland
Sculptor Magnús Pálsson. Iceland
Sculptor Ragnhildur Stefansdottir. Iceland
Artist Kristín Reynisdottir. Iceland
Writer Jon Proppe. Iceland

The former president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Iceland
Greenland institute of natural resources. Nuuk.
Profesor, Oceonograf Bogi Hansen. University of the Faroe Islands.
Lis Mortensen. Physical geographer at Jarðfeingi. Faroese geological survey. Færøernes direktorat for energi og geologi. Faroe Islands.
Students from Iceland University.
Art Academy of Iceland.
Nuuk Art School. Greenland.
Musician Jakup Lutzen, Copenhagen Phil.
Bassist Björn Ingimar Blöndal, Copenhagen.
Songer and drummmer Vera Kondrateva, Sibirien.
Musician Angelica Nielsen, Faroe Islands.
Musician Villu Vesky, Estland.
Eivør Pallsdottir

🇬🇧 About the project Red Snow – Ice in Motion.

Red Snow – Ice in Motion is a project consisting of a group of Nordic artists and scientists concerned about the effect of climate change and human activity on the environment and cultures of the Arctic countries. For the people living in these areas, climate change is no longer a future threat; we see and feel it happening all around us. Glaciers in Greenland and Iceland are retreating at an ever-faster pace, changing the landscape and rivers. New and invasive species are found every year and they are altering the balance in our flora and fauna, even disrupting the ocean ecosystems on which our communities depend for their livelihood. Pollution is building up everywhere in the food chain and threatening our health and the health of our children. For us the tipping point is no longer a future possibility: The tipping point is here and now.

There is no longer a question of why this is happening. These changes are caused by human activity, by the burning of fossil fuels, by the unsustainable mining of minerals that leave whole regions poisoned by pollution, and the frantic extraction of oil that not only contributes to global warming as the oil is burned but also threatens disaster when, spills occur. The short-sighted pursuit of economic growth and ever-increasing profits is poisoning the planet and in the vulnerable arctic regions this has already caused irreversible changes.

We in the North must engage with these issues and we must tell the world what is happening in the Arctic if there is to be a hope of halting these changes before they reach a catastrophic level. Therefore we in the Red Snow group put together a new project.

ICE IN MOTION is an exhibition, workshop and performance programme, promoting dialog about climate change and what it means for the lives of people living in the North Atlantic. The exhibition and events provide a setting for thinking about and discussing these issues: ice floes appear in large paintings on the wall; a sculpture shows a woman as a polar bear; old Nordic songs are heard: 8760 time-lapse photographs run on a large screen, showing the life of a glacier; a poster presents scientific information about Greenland in the last ice age; we hear myths and stories about the origin of the world and the changes it has seen; sounds of the sea are heard as we walk among sculptures of people half-immersed in water; hanging sculptures show the gradual shrinking of Icelandic glaciers. The group includes not only artists but also scientists who have been researching the changes taking place and are alarmed at the consequences. Their research features in the exhibition alongside the art and we believe that art and science can come together to throw light on these issues and help clarify them and open up a discussion where everyone is invited to participate.

Red Snow wants to engage with people in the Nordic countries on the consequences of climate change. How are we affected by changes in the natural environment? What will this mean for our future? How will we adjust to these changes? We want to examine these issues through different means – science, art, music and traditional myth – to explore their impact on the people and communities of the North. We believe that we all need to take part in this discussion and that everyone has something to offer, not only scientists and politicians. We want to use our exhibitions to provide a place for this discussion and engage communities in thinking about the problem. We in the North already see the effects of climate change in our surroundings and we must make our voices heard. Our journey began in Katuaq in Nuuk and the exhibition has now arrived in Denmark, later to travel to the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Jón Proppé

🇬🇧 Project RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION / RED SNOW – WHEN THE CLIMATE BLEEDS.

Through all my life I have been fascinated by Nature and by how Climate influence our life on Earth. My concern about nature and climate change made me to gather a group of artists and scientists, all expressing concern about the climate changes we observe and how it affects nature and humans. Our aim was to inform about changes that can be observed, and also compare fluctuations with last Ice Age. The focus was the Arctic region, where climate changes are so visible.

See a video from the project: RED SNOW – when the climate bleeds.

This are paintings that has been shown in exhibitions under the theme Climate Change in Denmark, Greenland, on Iceland and in Faroe Islands.

Project RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION. RED SNOW – ICE IN MOTION sends a big thank you to sponsors, partners and exhibition places for their support to this project: