Artist at Sea Residency Call
iCRAG in conjunction with University of Galway are delighted to offer an artistic residency on a research cruise led by Chief Scientist Dr Brian Ward of iCRAG at the University of Galway.
The vision for iCRAG's The Changing Planet programme is to use art as a STEM engagement medium to cross boundaries. The objectives of the programme are to (i) to engage artists and scientist in co-creation, (ii) enhance the publics’/artists’ understanding of Earth Sciences through artistic expression, and (iii) to use science and art programming in empowering informed decision making.
The Artist at Sea Residency provides the opportunity for an artist/creative to spend approximately nine days on an oceanic research vessel conducting research on biological carbon export in the Atlantic Ocean
The research trip is scheduled for 1 May to 9 May 2024, on the RV Celtic Explorer, departing from Galway, Ireland and arriving in St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The return flight home from Canada to Dublin, will be covered by iCRAG.
The selected artist must be available to undertake sea survival training in April. In addition, the artist will have to provide a seafarers medical certificate (ENG-11) and undertake safety awareness training (online).
Artists/creatives from any artistic background are welcome to apply.
About the cruise
Phytoplankton living in the sunlit surface ocean take up CO2 and nutrients and produce organic carbon. Some of this organic carbon leaves the surface ocean and sinks to greater depth via a set of processes collectively called the Biological Carbon Pump (BCP).
The BCP plays a critical role in global climate regulation. Current estimates suggest that the BCP removes 5-12 Gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere per year, roughly equal to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. By transferring carbon into the deeper ocean, the BCP effectively removes CO2 from the atmosphere for centuries, slowing global warming.
However, there is mounting evidence that climate warming is affecting the BCP, especially in higher latitudes, via increasing freshwater inputs, altered nutrient dynamics, and declines in phytoplankton growth. Our current ability to predict changes in the BCP in the face of ongoing and future climate change is weak at best. improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind the biological carbon pump we can make better predictions about the BCP in the face of climate change.
The research team on board is an interdisciplinary team of marine scientists and oceanographers from the University of Galway (Ireland) and Dalhousie University (Canada), who will be conducting research, including setting up a bow mast and carrying out underway biological observations, during the journey across the Atlantic.
About the residency
What we offer:
- Artist's fee of €750
- Room and board on the RV Celtic Explorer
- Access to a cross-disciplinary team of scientists taking part in the research cruise.
What is Expected of the Artist:
- be proactive in making connections with the scientists on board
- prepare a 15 minute talk for the purposes of introducing you and your proposal to the scientific team
- share the process of your residency and resulting work through iCRAG/University of Galway social media platforms
- credit University of Galway and iCRAG as partners in the production of any artworks made or subsequently which are informed by the residency
- completion of a short evaluation report within 2 weeks of the end of the research cruise
About the team
Dr Brian Ward is a lecturer at the University of Galway and Funded Investigator in iCRAG. The ocean and atmosphere are locked into a perpetual exchange. For example, the ocean absorbs about 25% of the CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere. The ocean also distributes heat globally, and therefore acts as one of the largest components regulating climate. Brian’s research investigates the critical small-scale processes that govern the ocean-atmosphere exchange of CO2, heat, and energy by participating in open ocean fieldwork to conduct specialised measurements at the air-sea interface.
iCRAG
iCRAG is the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre in Applied Geosciences is hosted by University College Dublin. The University of Galway is a partner institution of iCRAG. We are a team of researchers creating solutions for a sustainable society. We develop innovative science and technologies to better understand the Earth’s past, present, and future and how people are connected to it. We drive research in areas that are critical to society and the economy, including:
- Sustainable discovery of energy resources and raw materials required for decarbonisation.
- Securing and protecting groundwater and marine resources.
- Protecting society from Earth’s hazards such as flooding and landslides.
iCRAG is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, Geological Survey Ireland and industry partners.
Details on the application procedure:
Application
To apply:
Please submit your proposal to iCRAG Communications and Engagement Manager Dr Fergus McAuliffe: Fergus.mcauliffe@icrag-centre.org
Closing date: 5 PM 27th March 2024
Please include the following information in this order:
- A cover letter (max one page) which includes:
- A statement on your interest in exploring scientific research and climate change
- Why you would like to undertake this residency
- An updated CV (max two pages)
- A proposal (max one page): A statement of intent on artistic piece you might like to work on. This should include information on your process, the approaches you take in developing your work, what materials you use and how you might disseminate your work.
- Examples of previous work. Up to 3 examples of your work with one image per page. Please label each image clearly with title, dimensions, materials, gallery/site of installation /performance, date. Links to video/sound pieces (Max 3 minutes for each piece. For longer works please indicate which 3 minutes you wish to be considered)
For any queries please contact Fergus.mcauliffe@icrag-centre.org
RV Celtic Explorer. Credit: Ronnie Robertson