Extremes aims to develop and disseminate a transformative interdisciplinary approach to studying Extreme Environments in the Arctic regions and beyond.

Extreme Environments are places where conditions are very harsh and challenging for life. These areas can be incredibly hot, cold, deep underwater, or have high levels of chemicals that most living organisms would find toxic. 

While science provides the tools and methods to explore and understand these largely unexplored environments—such as deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents in the Arctic Region—art can expand our human imagination and sensibilities towards such environments. By embracing both disciplines, we can foster a more holistic understanding of extreme environments and their significance to humanity and Earth.

Extreme marine environments are sources of interest to current oil and gas industries, but they are also places of potential exposure to future practices of deep sea mining. Through interdisciplinary and collaborative cooperation, the project will develop new ways to sense, understand and imagine the significance of these extreme marine environments in the Arctic regions and beyond.

This collaborative framework brings together artists, marine scientists, and humanities scholars to evoke emotions and provoke reflections, laying the groundwork for transformative change. Transformative change refers to a profound shift in the way we perceive and interact with the world, encouraging a re-evaluation of our values, behaviours, and systems. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we hence aim to develop new perspectives and innovative solutions to the complex challenges as well as potentials that extreme environments pose.

In this context, scientific discoveries serve as a catalyst for artists, inspiring them to create works that challenge our habitual geographical imaginaries. These artistic expressions encourage deeper contemplation about our interconnectedness with nature, the implications of technological advancements, and our place within the universe. Through this synergy we hope to foster a more holistic understanding and appreciation of the world, ultimately driving meaningful and lasting change that will vessel us in a world of mitigation.

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