Arctic Sea Ice / Albedo

DATA SOURCE: Arctic sea ice patterns

 

I have been captivated by the Albedo effect as it relates to sea ice, following a research residency in Alaska in 2014. Albedo is particularly important in studying energy absorption and warming of the ocean. Sea ice is white, and thus has high albedo, reflecting most of the sun’s light. As the arctic climate warms due to Polar Amplification, the reduction in sea ice cover and increase in melt ponds creates greater dark areas of ocean that absorb more energy, creating a feedback loop of arctic ocean warming and increased ice melt. This scientific phenomenon is the concept expressed in the artistic medium of cast glass - which shares properties of light diffusion, reflection, and color saturation - to draw a parallel with the rapidly changing Arctic climate.