Ice Record

BACKGROUND Since Antarctica's discovery, expeditioners, artists and writers have attempted to document their experience. In 1982 Antarctic programmes began assisting artists to provide interpretations no longer attached to science or exploration. In 2004 Haydon was able to explore and interpret Antarctica, leading to the creation of works that engage with the viewer through recognisable personal jewellery and souvenir objects. Her participation in the 2012 New Zealand Ice Fest program brought together and highlighted the work currently being done in Antarctic research. Events included talks by scientific experts, panel discussions, poetry readings, historic exhibitions, experiential spaces and performances. Artists included other significant New Zealanders: poet and writer Bill Manhire, designer David Trubridge, photographer Anne Noble, composers Dave Dobbyn and Chris Cree Brown, and photographers Jane Ussher, Megan Jenkinson, and Laurence Aberhart. CONTRIBUTION Ice Record, Haydon's solo exhibition within this festival, was an installation of 21 jewellery works within a constructed space, illustrating the power of the craft object in exploring and connecting with human experience and place. Innovatively, Haydon worked with the gallery space to create an immersive environment in which to experience these objects. SIGNIFICANCE: Haydon's ongoing research into Antarctica, presented in the NZ Ice Fest festival, built on her residency in 2004 as the first jeweller to have been invited to participate in the Artists to Antarctica scheme. Ice Fest Cultural Coordinator, Marianne Hargreaves, wrote in the catalogue that the challenge for artists who have been to Antarctica is that "of working out how their chosen medium can possibly express what they have experienced. For some it takes years to come to a point where they feel satisfied that they can form and fulfil their vision." The Ice Fest arts project was supported by Christchurch Art Gallery and Creative New Zealand.