Communicating Ice through Popular Art and Aesthetics: (St)Ages

This book brings together the perspectives of eminent and emerging scholars from fields as varied as science communication, art history, pop cultural studies, environmental studies, sciences studying ice and artists to explore the power of (popular) arts and aesthetics to communicate ice research and the urgency of environmental action. "The authors of Communicating Ice tell the stories and stages of ice, showing how its manifold bodies communicate from beyond the schemas of the Western tradition." -Amanda Boetzkes, University of Guelph, Canada "With its well-written analyses, new insights and, not least, uplifting visions of new approaches, collaborations and opportunities, this book is a joy to read."-Kirsten Thisted, University of Copenhagen, Denmark "This book makes a compelling attempt to understand ice not as an object but as an agent with which we must interact differently. Ultimately, the highly recommended volume points to the extreme urgency of political action to curb global warming" -Evi Zemanek, University of Freiburg, Germany "This collection brilliantly illustrates how storytelling and aesthetic presentation are crucial aids to understanding and communicating about objects of scientific inquiry. A timely and vital contribution to the environmental humanities, posthumanism and science communication." - Chris Danta, School of Cybernetics, Australian National University, Australia This edited collection is the first of its kind to explore the influences and interconnections between artistic and scientific understandings of, and communication around (the melting of) ice. This book investigates and clarifies the ecological and cultural implications of losing ice in the face of climate change – from glaciers to permafrost valleys, from scientific excursions into ice to its representation in (popular) art and culture. Bringing together diverse perspectives from research and practice across disciplines and media, this volume pioneers research into the cultural power of ice. ​Dr Anne Hemkendreis is a Lecturer (Senior Researcher) in the (SFB 948) Heroes – Heroizations - Heroism research group at the University of Freiburg (Germany) and a member of the German Young Academy. Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens is a Lecturer in Popular Entertainment Studies at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University (ANU) and the Head of Popsicule, ANU's Science in Pop Culture and Entertainment Hub. This book brings together the perspectives of eminent and emerging scholars from fields as varied as science communication, art history, pop cultural studies, environmental studies, sciences studying ice and artists to explore the power of (popular) arts and aesthetics to communicate ice research and the urgency of environmental action. Examining the aesthetic strategies employed in images, (popular) visual fiction and narratives to convey meaning and awareness – and how they can be made fruitful for science communication – the project will generate new perspectives on how our collective environmental responsibility can be addressed and communicated across disciplines and divers audiences. In doing so, the volume will illuminate the cultural power of ice research and contribute to a better understanding of the cultural work that emerges from our ecological crisis.