This was our home during the expedition to the far Arctic Circle. Exploring the coast of the Svalbard archipelago, we sailed to to within 10º of the northern pole. The views and landscape were as inspiring as one can imagine.

My challenge was to create artwork while respecting this beautiful, protected area. Prior to the trip, I created a brooch that could be adjusted to temporarily capture various objects.

During the trip, we saw the presence of humans everywhere. Plastic and commercial fishing nets were a common sight on our landings. The brooches, made of ABS plastic using 3D printing technology, symbolized that constant human presence we experienced, even in such a remote and hard to reach place.

Each object temporarily set in a brooch was documented, then returned to the environment. Shipmates and crew generously modeled artwork, often in sub-freezing conditions. The documentation becomes the final work.

Human Presence Brooches and Framing Nature

The artist wearing a Human Presence brooch during the expedition

Todd Thyberg Braving freezing temperatures to model sea ice.