Glacier Cathedral

Even though glaciers carry magnificent bulk, they still fall to the hand of comparatively insignificant humans. This contrast of strength and fragility is intriguing and perhaps harkens to the vulnerability that we as humans experience.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame drew such overwhelming support when it caught fire in 2019, I thought elevating the glacier to that level of significance would give it prominence.  My other pieces attempt to draw comparison to the exquisite beauty of diamonds.

The glacier’s massive structures consist of ice so compacted that air bubbles are squeezed out leaving the most beautiful cerulean blue. Silk dyeing captures the color, the silk absorbs the dye giving wonderfully vivid colors and transparent qualities. The silk adhered to acrylic glass seems to become one with the glass allowing rigid pieces that can stand upright, so light can shine through.

Photography: Michael Stadler