echoes of ice: evolving relationship with iceland's glaciers
In recognition of the United Nations' declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, we invite artists, musicians, writers, scientists, and all creative voices to contribute to an exhibition exploring our evolving relationship with Iceland's glaciers. This exhibition will be online and in person at Skaftafell National Park, a place deeply shaped by the dynamic forces of ice and time.
Exhibition Theme: What Was, What Is, What Could Be
Iceland’s glaciers have long been more than vast expanses of ice; they are storytellers, memory-keepers, and harbingers of change. This call seeks to showcase works that reflect on our collective connection to Iceland’s glaciers through three lenses:
What Was: Memories, histories, and cultural ties to the glaciers. How have they shaped communities, traditions, and landscapes? What stories have been carved into ice and stone?
What Is: The current reality of our glaciers in a rapidly changing climate. How do we experience them today? What emotions arise as we witness their retreat? How do science, art, and daily life intersect in the face of this transformation?
What Could Be: Imagining future landscapes and relationships. What does a world with diminished or vanished glaciers look like? Can we envision a future of preservation, adaptation, or rebirth?
This call is open to individuals and collectives across disciplines. We encourage diverse perspectives, from visual art to sound installations, poetry to scientific visualizations, film to interactive experiences. We challenge artists to think deeply about their connection to Iceland's glaciers and reflect on how their work offers unique expressions beyond straightforward representations. Your voice is valuable whether you are a seasoned artist, a researcher or a local resident.
Submission Details:
- Open to all mediums (visual art, music, writing, live or pre-recorded performance, interdisciplinary work, workshop proposals, etc.)
- Completed works must have been created within the last 5 years.
- Performances may be proposed to take place during the exhibition period if they are not pre-recorded in an audio or video format.
- Workshop/public engagement activities may be proposed with a 1 page description of the activity including any materials, intended audience, and if it is in-person or online (through zoom)
- Applications can be submitted in English or Icelandic.
- Application and exhibition participation is free.
In person Exhibition Location: Visitor Center, Skaftafell National Park, Iceland
Online Exhibition Link: https://echoesofice.com/
Exhibition Space: Skaftafell National Park receives over ½ a million visitors from around the world annually, drawn to explore its stunning landscapes and outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull. The exhibition will be held in an indoor public area of the Visitor Center, open during the center's operating hours. The space will see a high volume of foot traffic, including visitors of all ages and backgrounds. While we will take measures to securely mount wall pieces and provide cases for three-dimensional works upon selected participant’s request, there will be minimal supervision during opening hours. The National Park is not responsible for any damage to or interference with the works on display.
The exhibition space is equipped with electrical outlets, allowing for electronic works to be connected and digital works to be displayed via a TV monitor. Mounted headphones will be available for sound works or recorded performances. However, due to strong natural light from a south-facing window, pieces requiring a projector will unfortunately not be accepted, as projections would not be clearly visible in this environment.
Live performances outside of the Visitor Center will require a permit from the national park. Please state in your application where in Skaftafell National Park you would be interested in performing and what resources you would need if proposing outside of the Visitor Center. Please include a raincheck date as summer weather is unpredictable for outdoor performances.
For selected international participants, we will provide a stipend of up to 10,000 ISK or about $80 USD after the exhibition closing to offset shipment costs.
