Overview

The earth's polar regions have been the subject of three major research initiatives called ""international polar years"" (IPY). Beginning with the first IPY in 1882-1883, these initiatives have shared the goal of advancing basic scientific knowledge of the geography and geophysical processes of these remote lands and oceans. International polar year events have always captured the imagination of the public, yet the polar regions remain a distant and disconnected realm for most people. The global science community is set to begin another IPY in 2007-2008 with a special sense of urgency: simply put, the polar regions are a critical part of the earth's climate system, which is now undergoing rapid change in response to human activities. The 2007-2008 events will extend beyond basic studies in the geophysical and biological sciences to focus on global climate change and the research presently underway to advance our understanding of the human dimensions of a shifting Arctic environment. Climate change is a pressing and much debated phenomenon of our time. ""Thin Ice"" accompanies an important exhibition, opening on January 20, 2007 at the Hood Museum of Art, that is one of the first to explore the human dimensions of climate change in the Inuit concept and perception of the Arctic climate as part of their culture. The exhibition presents objects from the Hood's permanent collection - boat miniatures, harpoons, masks, clothing, prints, and canoes, along with photographs - that are deeply embedded in the social and spiritual fabric of Inuit society while addressing the global debate around climate change. The Hood Museum of Art has partnered with the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding and the Institute of Arctic Studies in the development of what will be the first comprehensive exhibition of Dartmouth's Arctic collections and this accompanying catalogue.

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Reviews

The collection is shown through the lens of the Inuit's environment, its importance to their society, their contact with Western culture and their own observations of recent climate change. The result, captured in this companion catalog, demonstrates the relevance of historical collections to urgent contemporary issues. --American Craft

Extending beyond its role as an exhibition catalogue, Thin Ice is a valuable resource given the information conveyed, questions raised, representation of Indigenous knowledge, and its accessibility to diverse audiences. In particular, the outstanding forward and introduction --succinct and broadly informative -- should be mandatory reading for everyone. The curator's essays convey much useful, well-illustrated information on contemporary and traditional Inuit life at reader friendly concise lengths. --Museum Anthropology

Author Information

The exhibition is curated by A. Nicole Stuckenberger, Stefansson Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Arctic Studies, Dickey Center for International Understanding, Dartmouth College, as part of International Polar Year.

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