The conditions of the arctic circle are no laughing matter – come unprepared and it could prove fatal. So we prepared well for our virtual expedition to the high north and came back with an art book that bears witness to the brutality, the beauty and the wonder of the arctic circle.

Urgent.Agency was commissioned by Dorte Mandrup to conceptualize and produce an art book that could accompany their upcoming exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018 – an improvisation on the unique conditions of the arctic circle by example of their Icefjord Centre in Greenland.

As arctic adventurers, we explored the area and found a multitude of stories, all depicting specific aspects of the arctic experience. Ranging from the intense scientific paranoia of the melting ice of Greenland to the vast distances that transform time into space to the tragic tales of failed air ballon expeditions, the book leaves the reader in awe of the civilization that has managed to thrive under these unwelcoming conditions.

The appearance of the book is inspired by the survival kits often needed in the Arctics. Silver alu-blankets and vacuum packed foods transformed into an art book the size of carry-on luggage. Seeing that the books are exclusively available at the Venice Biennale book shops, it seemed only fair to make them travel-sized!

Services

Design, Art direction, Editing

Production

Editorial Design

The conditions of the arctic circle are no laughing matter – come unprepared and it could prove fatal. So we prepared well for our virtual expedition to the high north and came back with an art book that bears witness to the brutality, the beauty and the wonder of the arctic circle.

Urgent.Agency was commissioned by Dorte Mandrup to conceptualize and produce an art book that could accompany their upcoming exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018 – an improvisation on the unique conditions of the arctic circle by example of their Icefjord Centre in Greenland.

As arctic adventurers, we explored the area and found a multitude of stories, all depicting specific aspects of the arctic experience. Ranging from the intense scientific paranoia of the melting ice of Greenland to the vast distances that transform time into space to the tragic tales of failed air ballon expeditions, the book leaves the reader in awe of the civilization that has managed to thrive under these unwelcoming conditions.

The appearance of the book is inspired by the survival kits often needed in the Arctics. Silver alu-blankets and vacuum packed foods transformed into an art book the size of carry-on luggage. Seeing that the books are exclusively available at the Venice Biennale book shops, it seemed only fair to make them travel-sized!

More info

Status

2018 Completed

Contact

Mads Quistgaard

Team
Benjamin Wernery
Birk Marcus Hansen
Ayo Villum Krogh
Mads Christian Sandholm
Mads Quistgaard
Johanne Mortensen
Emilie Sandholt