A chat with Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell, two photographers specialized in Arctic and Antarctic regions, about interpreting these realms of shifting ice, ethereal light, and profound environmental change through the lens of fine art and conservation photography. Our discussion explores how photography serves as both a creative pursuit and a call to action, capturing the transcendent beauty of polar regions while bearing witness to its fragility.

The Beauty & Impact of Polar Photography, with Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell

Commissioned by the AHRC research project, ORDERED UNIVERSE, led by Prof. Giles Gasper (Durham University) and Dr Hannah Smithson (University of Oxford), Napa Lighted Art Festival (U.S) and Light Up Poole (UK)

Exhibited at Napa Lighted Art Festival (U.S) and Light Up Poole (UK)
It was seen by 40,000 people in Napa, California and another 40,000 in Poole, Dorset in the UK.

‘Horizon’ follows the journey of humankind through time, how we have discovered our place in the universe through what we see, and how that view has changed as we go beyond the limit of our horizon. 

Beginning with the scientific teachings of the English medieval polymath Robert Grosseteste and journeying to 21st century satellite explorations at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories, NASA, we see how our knowledge is shaped by the horizon of our viewpoint, by what is visible and invisible to us, and how we still seek answers on how we should live.

Karen worked with scientists from JPL-NASA involved with climate investigations, particularly on water availability for plant life and the threat of rising sea levels creating scripts and storyboards that connected their work with Grosseteste's theories. Through the partnership with the Ordered Universe team members, Karen recorded also the fruits of their own research as well as carrying out further research of her own to weave the potent narrative. 

In Poole, she presented a talk on creatively working with the group at the event’s light art symposium.

https://vimeo.com/1098724883
https://youtu.be/wbTCJnxf8mk?si=lYvO45ufNYf5IIx2

RESULTS:
“ I found listening to the digital artists talk about their work during the light art symposium absolutely fascinating.” - G. Aldred, artist

“Saw this last night - Spectacular!!” - Twitter (US exhibition)

“This was amazing! It was so beautiful I watched it live twice” - Instagram (US exhibition)

Horizon

Horizon (excerpt)

“Arctic” is a minimalist, emotional deep house journey through sonic landscapes as vast and fragile as ice. Produced by Enaque & Nujord, the track pairs glacial textures with pulsing rhythms and haunting melodic fragments — capturing the feeling of stillness beneath turbulence.

Atmospheric and immersive, “Arctic” bridges the cinematic and the rhythmic. It’s a slow-burn exploration of contrast: cold and warmth, silence and motion, isolation and presence. With strong alternative dance roots and an ambient edge, this track is perfect for deep listening, chill playlists, or moody late-night sets.

Enaque & Nujord - Arctic

低頻保持強壓感，中頻金屬層帶來空間冷冽感，高頻控制在刺耳邊緣，營造冰刃效果

Northern Settlement

"mistuh jamie cook on the electric guitah"

Cornerstone

Hey everyone! So this is actually the *very first* set I’ve ever recorded since picking up a DDJ-FLX4 about two months ago. I’m 53, and honestly, I just wanted to mess around and have some fun with it—no big ambitions, just good vibes. I'm still getting the hang of beat matching and key matching (so go easy on me!), but I’ve been having a blast learning. Anyway, hope you enjoy the mix—cheers, Dan 🎶

First Ever DJSET

«Ермак» — это музыкальная сага, вдохновлённая суровой мощью арктического ледокола, пробивающего путь через ледяную тишину. Песня переносит слушателя в мир, где сталь и пар сливаются с дыханием морозной мглы, а компас дрожит под зовом севера. Ритм механического сердца машины, пылающие котлы и треск льда создают звуковую картину борьбы и триумфа. Северное сияние освещает путь, а команда героев пишет историю в полярных льдах, оставляя за собой эхо железной воли, что сильнее вечной мерзлоты.

Ермак

Keep going(prod.arctic)

여긴 BPM 140 구역
소리로 징박지 실컷 구경
이 자릴 메꿔
진심이 100%

끄덕여 고개 외치기로 해
잔말 말고 계속해


'나는 몰라 힙합' 할 때 누가 달았지 댓글 'KEEP GOING '
다들 잘난 힙합 할 때 따라 태도 아닌 껍질 침 고인 이빨 드러내  깃발 꽂았네
흑역사 깔려 달려 내게 맡겨 만회

시끄러워 사상 미끄러워 사랑
지금부터 나는 RAP HUNTER

까만 선 긋다가 울다가 보면 혼자
점쟁일 만나도 내 미랜 결국 몰라
언제나 미완성 부족해 그래도 계속해
할 수 없어 팔 수 없어
포기 마 오기 만
키워 아니면 다 지워

스스로 하얀 종이에 갇혀
스스럼 없이 진심을 바쳐
LIKE 구걸 MIKE 건네주는 하늘에게
보여주고 싶어 오래하고 싶어

신경꺼
남들의 말말 당신은
단단해져 더
실컷 팔아
쪽말고 목소리말야
어어어 꽉 물어 놔주지 않아 힙합
파묻어 도망치고 싶었던 시간
증명해 어차피
내 속엔 누가있지
아버지 피
예술은 내 도구 표현해 모두
넌 날 따라올 뿐
예술은 내 도구 표현해 모두
넌 날 따라올 뿐

여긴 BPM 140 구역
소리로 징박지 실컷 구경
이 자릴 메꿔
진심이 100%

끄덕여 고개 외치기로해
잔말 말고 계속해


저질스런 일은 그냥 잊어
어지러운 너와 나를 지워
아픔은 파 먹어 다 적어 lock 걸어

네가 날 배신한 거?
허 종이에 베인 셈 쳐
어 속도 없는 년  소주 들이 켜


내가 뭐로 보여 다 멀어 보여 눈 멀어 보여
왜 그래 말투
듣고 갈아 작두
나를 쳤어? 칵 투!
판 뒤집어? 화투?
허,허,허허허허나
손 바투 재미
난 똑 바로 뱉지
너보다 오늘을 사랑 했지


여긴 BPM 140 구역
소리로 징박지 실컷 구경
이 자릴 메꿔
진심이 100%

끄덕여 고개 외치기로 해
잔말 말고 계속해

여긴 BPM 140 구역
소리로 징박지 실컷 구경
이 자릴 메꿔
진심이 100%

끄덕여 고개 외치기로 해
잔말 말고 계속해

keep going(prod.arctic)

This episode is a celebration of change and transformation.

Gaia traces the evolution of Arctic Monkeys - from raw energy to cinematic sound - reflecting on how artists, and all of us, grow and change through time.

A journey through courage, curiosity, and the beauty of slowing down.


Morning Drops #30 - Star Treatment

Recorded at 22 Ravens & A Fox, summer 2025
Foto by Veli [Studio Vann]

Midnite Sun Soundscape Vol. 7

Arctic Ice

The radio show from a different planet by Yasmin and Gaia.
New episodes every Monday morning.

Музыкант-визионер, создающий сложные композиции с исполь- зованием ИИ-технологий.

The B&H Photography Podcast: Join us every other week for a conversation with insightful and entertaining guests. From gear and technique to history, science and art, we discuss the issues most important to the contemporary photographer.

Fred Lundi
 ♒  Haze

Studio Vann
Behind The River 
Sunday Brunch Series Artist Collective (RIP)

Classic Progressive House & Deep Progressive Techno ... with exceptions


Instagram: blancpeche_x

Karen Monid is a UK sound artist and projection specialist who has created award-winning sound art pieces and son et lumière works worldwide. Her work is regularly presented at arts festivals and large scale public events.

New tracks tagged #ARCTIC