Studio Orta

The Antarctic Village drawings depict Lucy + Jorge Orta's response to the expedition they undertook to Antarctica in 2007, during which they installed their ephemeral sculpture 'Antarctic Village - No Borders', as part of their participation in the 1st End of the World Biennale. The watercolour drawings completed on their return record their impressions of this unique experience. The artists' playful iconography depicts the dome-architectures dotted across the landscape, parachutes laden with vital supplies, bivouacs and life saving devices, which speak of a much greater urgency. Antarctica's extreme conditions encourage mutual cooperation and the continent is a symbol of peace. Yet the Antarctic faces an imminent danger due to climate change. Melting ice-caps are the primary factor in rising sea levels, which could increase by one-metre before the next century. The Antarctic continent contains 75% of the planet’s fresh water, of which 90% is ice. Antarctica has begun its irreversible decline.