Ice Core Visualization: A Captivating Art Installation

Exploring the Relationship Between Carbon Dioxide and Global Climate

Ice Core Visualization is a unique project that combines the aesthetics of ice layers with the wealth of weather data contained within core samples. The installation features eight acrylic tubes filled with layered gel wax, with each layer representing the average data contained within a thousand-year sample. This captivating display allows viewers to visually experience the carbon dioxide content trapped in the gaseous bubbles of each ice layer.

Yingri Guan drew inspiration from the carbon dioxide variations found in ice cores. By obtaining data sets from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Guan created a visual representation of the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and global temperature variations. The installation showcases a grayscale color scheme to depict carbon dioxide variations over the past four hundred thousand years. In contrast, a color scheme based on weather maps represents temperature variations, with red indicating heat and blue representing freezing temperatures.

One of the intriguing aspects of Ice Core Visualization is its tactile nature. Guan wanted the audience to have a direct connection to the beauty of the ice cores, allowing them to appreciate the layers and textures. By dividing each acrylic tube into four sections, with each tube representing a hundred thousand years, Guan effectively conveys the cyclical nature of global climate change.

Ice Core Visualization raises thought-provoking questions about the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and global warming. As viewers observe the correlation between carbon dioxide content and temperature variations, they are prompted to consider whether global warming is a man-made phenomenon or part of a natural climate change cycle.

The project began in Buffalo in 2012 and was completed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2018. Throughout the design process, Guan faced creative and technical challenges. To achieve the desired transparency and layering effect, Guan utilized the technique of making wax candles. Each layer of wax represents the average data over a thousand years, resulting in a visually stunning representation of climate change over time.

Ice Core Visualization has garnered recognition and acclaim, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in 2021 for its innovative and practical design. This award recognizes designs that meet professional and industrial requirements while integrating industry best practices and technical excellence. By creating a captivating and informative art installation, Yingri Guan has contributed to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between carbon dioxide levels and global climate.