Press Release

Venice, CA – On May 4, 2010, The G2 Gallery will premiere Visions of the Arctic: Florian Schulz organized by Earthjustice with support from Patagonia.

Misunderstood, romanticized, mythicized and exploited, the Arctic’s thriving, diverse landscape will come to light in this solo exhibition that takes an unprecedented look at this rare world treasure. Documenting current threats to the region, Vision of the Arctic comes to The G2 Gallery in Venice to raise awareness about the Arctic’s beauty and vulnerability.

The images on display will range from intimate portraits of Arctic wildlife to aerial shots of migratory herds. “After spending many months hunkered down amongst the caribou, nesting birds and grizzlies, I realized that the only way I could effectively capture this massive expanse of land was with the use of aerial photography,” says Florian.

The exhibit reveals terrain that despite its reputation as a vast, foreboding landscape is quite fragile and under threat from industrialization and climate change.

“These pictures capture a place on the cusp of fundamental change brought on by coming oil and gas development and the loss of snow and ice due to climate change,” says Trip Van Noppen, President of Earthjustice.

Given the increasing pressure to drill in the Arctic, Florian does not shy away from shocking images of industrial development already underway in the region. Gas flares and fumes from sprawling oil production facilities in Prudhoe Bay dominate one photo, while caribou walk precariously across a highway in front of a truck in another. The exhibit also documents the visible impact climate change is already having on the Arctic landscape, from the early break-up of sea ice on the Chukchi Sea to the slow, but steady melting of glaciers.

Visions of the Arctic is presented by Earthjustice, a national environmental nonprofit that uses the courts to protect public health and the environment. The exhibit also receives promotional support from the clothing outfitter Patagonia, which enjoys a strong reputation as a green business leader. The goal of the exhibit is to raise public awareness about the threats to this magnificent region, in hopes that policymakers will implement a time-out on controversial development projects in the Arctic until a comprehensive plan can be developed to protect the region’s natural resources. The exhibition will have accompanying features on the Earthjustice and Patagonia websites.

An opening reception with Florian Schulz and exhibition organizer Bill Karpowicz of Earthjustice will take place on Friday, May 7, from 6:00–9:30 pm. Visions of the Arctic: Florian Schulz will run through Sunday, June 20, 2010.

About Florian Schulz
Born in Germany, Florian Schulz is a professional nature and wildlife photographer with a vision of broad horizons. Through skillful, artistic photography, he is constantly searching for breathtaking images that inspire individuals to take action in the protection of large endangered ecosystems. As the youngest founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Florian uses his photography to promote the creation of wildlife corridors to link habitats and ecosystems as part of his “Freedom to Roam” project. His photography has been published in multiple articles by recognized magazines and has won numerous international awards. Honoring his commitment to conservation, the Nature’s Best Photography Awards and the National Wildlife Federation named Florian Schulz Conservation Photographer of the Year 2008.

About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is a non-profit public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. It brings about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations and communities.

About Patagonia
Patagonia is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism. Its Environmental Grants Program has contributed over $20M in cash and in-kind donations to grassroots environmental activists since the program began in 1985, and its Environmental Internship Program allows employees to work for environmental groups while receiving their full paycheck. Incorporating environmental responsibility in to product development, the company supports the ambitious mission statement: “To make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Since 1996, Patagonia has used only organically grown cotton in its clothing line, and is noted world-wide for using recycled soda bottles in many of its polyester fleece garments beginning in 1993. Sales for 2004 were $240 million.