77 Cores descends two miles through the Greenland Ice sheet.  The first core in the series, at far left, holds 1 meter of snowfall from 1989 when drilling began. At far right, the ice, mixed with silt and soil, is over 110,000 years old. Ice cores are known as paleo-thermometers, data providing physical evidence for global climate change. Over thousands of years, the snow compresses into horizontal bands of ice, which can be counted, like tree rings. Pollen, pollution, volcanic ash and other particulates can be correlated to events and dated. The molecular composition indicates past rainfall and temperature.  Air bubbles trapped in the ice hold ancient air, documenting the makeup of ancient atmosphere. The GISP2D Ice Core was drilled between 1989-1993 as part of the the Greenland Ice Sheet Project, research sponsored by The National Science Foundation. The cores in 77 Cores are stored at the NSF Ice Core Facility in Lakewood, Colorado.

Variation of the appearance of the cores reflect the evolving nature of scientific documentation and observation; differing techniques used for scanning and lighting over decades account for change in appearance and color.  There are visible written notations indicating direction and depth; gaps indicate samples sent to labs for analysis. Electrical conductivity measurements (ECM) leave faint parallel tracks from electrodes dragged along the surface of the cores. The cracks and fissures show the fragility of the excavated cores, echoing the vulnerability of polar ice.

The Greenland Ice Sheet is melting at rates far surpassing earlier estimates. The largest mass of ice in the Northern Hemisphere demands our attention, our respect and urgent action. 77 Cores, as a monument to the Greenland Ice Sheet, directs our gaze to the depths of time and space critical to comprehending, and acting upon, climate change.

77 Cores is part of a series of Underscapes, portraits of the Extended Landscape to confront the scales of deep time and deep space.

Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery, ArtCenter Pasadena

Seeing the Unseeable: Data, Design, Art

GETTY PST ART 2024