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Antarctica

Jane Lombard Gallery presents the first exhibition in New York by Lucy + Jorge Orta, based on their groundbreaking expedition to Antarctica in 2007.

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  • 13 January 2016
  • New York

Lucy + Jorge Orta’s collaborative practice focuses on social and ecological issues, employing a diversity of media – drawing, sculpture, installation, painting, photography, video, and performance – to realize major bodies of work.

“Antarctica” will feature works first created for the artists’ expedition to the Antarctic peninsula, addressing issues such as environmental conditions and human survival in adverse situations. Following a commission from The End of the World Biennale (2007), the Ortas installed an ephemeral Antarctic Village on the continent, a “village” composed of 50 domelike sculptures constructed with flags from countries around the world. They also created and raised the first Antarctic Flag, to symbolize the unification of nations around shared common values.

Top and above: Lucy + Jorge Orta, Antarctic Village - No Borders, Dome Dwelling, 2007, ephemeral installation in Antarctica, 2007. 50 original dome dwellings, hand-stitched with nation flags, fragments of clothing, webbing, silkscreen print, dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Thierry Bal

“Antarctica” embodies utopia: a continent whose extreme climate encourages mutual aid and solidarity, freedom of research, sharing, and collaboration for the good of the planet. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which now counts 53 nation states, instituted the continent as common peaceful territory. The Madrid Protocol, ratified in 1991, has frozen mining until 2048 and banned industrial research or exploitation for fifty years. The centerpiece of the exhibition is The Antarctic World Passport Delivery Bureau, a travelling installation recently presented at the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation in Geneva and at the Grand Palais in Paris during the COP21 UN Climate Summit. Visitors to the Antarctica World Passport Delivery Bureau, an architectural assemblage made from reclaimed materials, receive a uniquely numbered Antarctica World Passport, and in exchange pledge to support the project’s principles: to take action against the disastrous effects of global warming and strive for peace. Since 2008, 55,000 passports have been printed, and visitors to Lucy + Jorge Orta’s exhibition at the Jane Lombard Gallery will be invited to register for their personalized passport edition, and to join this growing community of world citizens.

<b>Left</b>: Lucy + Jorge Orta, <i>Antarctic Village - No Borders, Métisse Flag</i>, 2007-2009. Lambda color photograph backed on Dibond, edition of 7, 3 A.P., 150 x 120 cm. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Thierry Bal. <b>Right</b>: Lucy + Jorge Orta, <i>Antarctic Village - No Borders, Drop Parachute</i>, 2007-2008. Coated polyamide, fibre glass rods, various textiles, nation flags, kitchen utensils, objects, silkscreen print, webbing, red cross crate, 120 cm diameter, approx. 3 m from ground variable. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Ela Bialkowska
Lucy + Jorge Orta, <i>Antarctica World Passport Delivery Kit</i>, 2008-2009 Wooden valise, Lambda photograph laminated, glass, 10 Antarctica World Passports, hand turned wooden passport stamp with rubber embossed motif. Limited edition of 25, 35 x 10 x 20 cm. Courtesy of the artists
Lucy + Jorge Orta, <i>Antarctica World Passport Delivery Bureau, Palais Iéna Paris</i>, 2012. Bureau construction in reclaimed materials, chair, desk, vintage military canteens, various objects, Antarctica World Passports, passport stamps, ink pads. 220 x 60 x 240 cm variable. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Bertrand Huet
Lucy + Jorge Orta, <i>Window on the World - Antarctica</i>, 2007. Diptych window frames, Lambda photograph laminated, mirror, glass, 38 plasma bottles, used clothes, flags, copper pipes, 2 taps, 105 x 17 x 134 cm. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Bertrand Huet


January 14 – February 20, 2016
Lucy + Jorge Orta
Antarctica
Jane Lombard Gallery
518 West 19th Street, New York

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