Ice!

A key part of the project is helping the children imagine how the landscapes of the Hebrides and Svalbard are connected. To explore this, we worked with local glaciologist Ullrich Neumann, who introduced us to the hidden worlds beneath the glacier ice.

Ulli took us to a nearby moraine cave, a space shaped by meltwater running under a glacier, carving channels through ice, rock and grit. To share this experience with the children, we made a short film and transformed a corner of the Artica studio into a darkened cave, where we could watch it together. It felt a little like stepping underground into another world.

In the film, Ulli explained how glaciers form, how ice caves emerge, and how meltwater eventually finds its way to the ocean. From there, it becomes part of the vast system of currents that flow all the way to the Hebrides, a powerful reminder that these distant places are intimately connected.

We also discovered surprising similarities between crystals found in rock caves and those formed in ice. But perhaps the most magical moment came when we were given a piece of glacier ice, around 3,500 years old. As it melted in water, it released ancient air, creating soft popping and fizzing sounds. We listened closely, hearing echoes from thousands of years ago.

Together, we spoke about how precious and fragile these environments are, and the importance of caring for them.

Inspired by these encounters, the children went on to create their own imagined sea and ice caves through tetra pack and lino printing, producing a series of prints and small booklets that will be shared in the final exhibition.