The New York Public Library Launches The Arctic Imagination Project at LIVE from the NYPL

New York, NY – The New York Public Library, in partnership with the Royal Library in Copenhagen and the Royal Consulate General of Denmark, is proud to launch the The Arctic Imagination project in New York at LIVE from the NYPL on Thursday, September 21, 2017. The Arctic Imagination Project is an international library initiative across the Atlantic Ocean about melting arctic ice and increasing temperatures, in which artists exchange ideas and visions of the future of the globe. 

NYPL has joined forces with major libraries in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Nuuk for the project, and will host the first Arctic Imagination project conversation in New York between artist Olafur Eliasson and professor of geology Minik Rosing. Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, and Danish journalist Martin Breum will participate in the second Arctic Imagination conversation at LIVE from the NYPL on December 5. Tickets for both programs are available at nypl.org/LIVE. 

Members of the media are invited to a special Arctic Imagination New York launch reception to be held prior to the conversation on September 21 at 5:30pm. Media passes for the conversation between Eliasson and Rosing are also available. To RSVP, please email Ayofemi Kirby at ayofemikirby@nypl.org

“We often hear of the many ways melting ice masses are impacted by climate change, informing but leaving us helpless as to what we can do to turn the tide in a more positive direction,” said Fay Rosenfeld, Vice President of Public Programs at The New York Public Library. “LIVE from the NYPL is excited to host The Arctic Imagination project in New York and to serve as a platform where ideas, research and creative solutions are discussed that contribute to a reimagined Arctic region and a more sustainable future for us all.”

“The Arctic Imagination project has given us the opportunity to present hidden and previous unknown gems from the archives of the participating libraries; photographs, books and manuscripts, which have been digitized and made accessible to the public,” Pernille Drost, Deputy Director General, Royal Danish Library, noted. “These materials gives an unique insight to the arctic explorations throughout hundreds of years, it’s folklore and myths and great beauty. Presented through Arctic Imagination and it’s transatlantic dialogue this could contribute to qualify and widen the awareness of the Arctics.” 

“The Arctic Imagination project puts the spotlight on a fantastic region of our planet – a region that is having to adapt to the effects of climate change,” explained Anders Samuelsen, Denmark’s Foreign Minister. “As we look to the scientists for answers about climate, we must also look to the artists to help us understand the depth of the cultural importance of the Arctic. I am grateful to both the Royal Danish Library and the New York Public Library for hosting this important conversation during the most urgent of times.” 

To request a media pass for the LIVE from the NYPL conversation on September 21, 2017, please email ayofemikirby@nypl.org. For more information about The Arctic Imagination Project, visit arcticimagination.com. 

Media Contact: Ayofemi Kirby | AyofemiKirby@nypl.org

About the New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support. 

About The Arctic Imagination Project 

The Arctic Imagination project is a powerful new dynamic bringing together six major libraries in USA, Greenland and Scandinavia to shed light on the rapidly melting ice masses in the Arctic. It is a unique Transatlantic cooperation in which a number of high profile artistic and creative voices will contribute to an international brainstorming on what humanity can do to save this vulnerable region. About the Royal Library in Copenhagen The Royal Danish Library is Denmark’s national library and university library for several Danish Universities. The institution administers the national cultural heritage and delivers professional and scholarly library service in support of education and research. 

About the Royal Consulate General of Denmark

The Royal Consulate General of Denmark and Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are proud sponsors of the Arctic Imagination project.