Glacial Optics

2018-Ongoing, Expeditionary, Performative, Photographic, Research-Based Project.

It began as a poetic vision:  reading about the exceptional clarity sometimes found in glacial ice, I began to think of the glaciers, perched on mountain tops and in the furthest polar climes, as natural optical elements; giant lenses compacted under the weight of eons, polished by wind and snow.  In its massive fragility, the glacier’s gaze suggested a perspective both larger in size and longer in duration than our limited, anthropocentric view.

This idea quickly became an ongoing conceptual obsession, a major research project, and a huge technical and engineering challenge. I read about the crystal and refractive properties of ice.  I used a visual programming language to simulate the way light moves through ice and a simulated annealing algorithm to generate optimized curvatures for ice lenses. I learned how to make crystal clear ice in my freezer and designed special tools for forming and polishing ice into the lens shapes. I designed special cameras equipped to hold these slippery, melting lenses and record images though them.

Meanwhile, I sought out conversations with glaciologists and climate scientists studying ancient polar ice. I began to learn more about how glacial ice opens a window into our climate past through information gleaned from ice cores. Finally, in April of 2022 I set out on an arctic expedition, sailing north of the 78th parallel on a three-masted tall ship in search of crystal clear, ancient glacial ice. I traveled with custom-made tools for forming ice lenses and a tent camera which I designed to record giant, 4x8-foot negatives. 

I went not knowing if I would find ice clear enough to make a lens.  I also went knowing I would be facing of some of the harshest conditions imaginable. This is still a work in progress, but I share here some images from my preparations and from the expedition… as well as a sneak peek at some of the first successful images made using glacial ice lenses.

Prototyping Ice Lens Molds:

Arctic Expedition:

Images Shot Through Ice Lens

Developing Giant Negatives