ANNOUNCEMENT - ARTIST-RUN RADIO STATION IN ANTARCTICA
Date: 31.12.06
Location: Antarctica
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'Polar Radio' is a community radio station in Antarctica initiated by I-TASC and r a d i o q u a l i a.
The first prototype station began FM broadcasts on 29 December 2006 in the Dronning Maud Land sector of Antarctica, where South Africa maintains their base, SANAE IV.
The radio station is broadcasting new music, sound art, documentaries and live shows to the research community in Dronning Maud Land. Mobile researchers can tune into the radio station from their skidoos (snowmobiles used for transport). Residents of SANAE IV can tune in to the station from FM receivers at the base.
This prototype station is the first step towards establishing a permanent community radio presence in Antarctica, which may eventually broadcast in between geographically dispersed Antarctic bases.
The research phase of Polar Radio is supported by Arts Council England.
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ABOUT I-TASC
I-TASC is the Interpolar Transnational Art Science Constellation. I-TASC is an official project of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. The project was conceived by Thomas Mulcaire and Marko Peljhan. I-TASC is a decentralized network of individuals and organisations working collaboratively in the fields of art, engineering, science and technology on the interdisciplinary development and tactical deployment of renewable energy, waste recycling systems, sustainable architecture and open-format, open-source media. I-TASC is a lichen-like structure sharing and integrating local knowledge, resources and skills across six continents in order to symbiotically engage with the air, ocean, earth and space commons
The members of the first I-TASC Reconnaissance and Communication Expedition arrived in the Dronning Maud Land sector of Antarctica in December 2006 and will stay until February 2007. They are guests of the South African Antarctic Programme
- Thomas Mulcaire (South Africa)
- Adam Hyde - r a d i o q u a l i a (New Zealand)
- Ntsikelelo Ntshingila (South Africa)
- Amanda Rodrigues Alves (Brazil)
The I-TASC crew's journey to the continent on board the ship, SA Agulhas and their work at SANAE IV base is documented in an online journal at the I-TASC website <http://www.i-tasc.org/>, under the NOW section.
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RADIO IN ANTARCTICA
Whilst, Antarctica has never had an indigenous population, it does now have a regular human presence. It hosts scientists from 27 different nations. In the summer more than 4000 people live in Antarctica. Scientists tend to be located at the scientific bases operated by their home nation. Because of the immense size of the continent these bases tend to be far from one another. One of the only technologies which can bridge the wide expanses of Antarctica is radio. Whilst radio is primarily used to coordinate science expeditions and vital activities such as air-traffic control and search and rescue, the existence of several amateur radio stations in Antarctica operated by radio engineers in their spare time, is evidence that radio communication for leisure purposes is viable and desirable. Like any amateur radio stations, those in Antarctica are only operational sporadically, and communicate only with other amateur radio stations, on a one-to-one basis.
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POLAR RADIO - THE FUTURE
Polar Radio will draw on the history of amateur radio broadcasting in the polar regions, taking inspiration from the role radio has played in the exploration of the Poles, and in facilitating communication between polar inhabitants and the wider world.
One of the most important functions of Polar Radio station is be to radiophonically link dispersed bases, creating trans-national, inter-base connections promoting discussion and collaboration amongst the researchers living in Antarctica. Should it prove feasible, following this research phase, it is hoped that Polar Radio will enable researchers to share information about the living circumstances and weather conditions of their respective bases, and to anecdotally communicate the results of their investigations.
In tandem with this community radio function, Polar Radio will also be a platform for artists. Many of the Antarctic bases have artist-in-residence programmes and regularly host artists in-situ. Polar Radio hopes to make it possible for artists in residence to communicate their work to the residents of Antarctica. It will pro-actively encourage artists to create audio-based art (sound art, new music, radio drama and other audio based practices) for broadcast, thus posing new artistic challenges for artists living in Antarctica.
It is also hoped that Polar Radio will broadcast creative programmes produced outside Antarctica. Using internet-based systems, and posted CDs, we hope to enable an interface between artists and musicians based around the world and the residents of Antarctica.
It is envisioned that the eventual programme of Polar Radio may be a combination of news reports from the various Antarctica bases authored by researchers, music programmes compiled by researchers, audio art, music, news and magazine programmes, sound art and radio art documentaries and audio-based art created by artists in residence at the Antarctic bases.
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TRANSMIT YOUR MESSAGE IN ANTARCTICA
We are in the process of compiling programmes for broadcast. The internet connection at the present South African base in Antarctica is not fast enough for the crew to download sound material to broadcast. But we do want to broadcast music made by musicians and sound artists, radio plays, documentaries, and any other sonically fascinating ephemera.
So, we need your help!
If you have ever wanted a piece of music you have made, or even just a piece of music you like, heard in Antarctica, now is your chance. Make a CD and send it to: Siphiwe Ngwenya / I-TASC
c/- Pitch Black Productions, 7 Prince Street, Gardens, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
DEADLINE: 10 JANUARY 2007
There is not much time between now and when the plane leaves, so anything you can copy onto CD and post, would be gratefully received.
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FURTHER INFORMATION
For data on Polar Radio, contact: r a d i o q u a l i a
Email: adam@xs4all.nl or honor@va.com.au
http://www.radioqualia.net
For data on I-TASC, contact: Thomas Mulcaire or Marko Peljhan
Email: tm@interpolar.org or mx@interpolar.org
http://www.i-tasc.org/
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