Events

Elysium Epic (Shackleton's Antarctic Visual Epic)

The Benchmark Expedition of New Decade official Expedition report to Debut at Dive Resort & Travel Expo Hong Kong 16 July 2010
Presented by Michael AW, Ricky Wong & Elizabeth Quat

On 10 February 2010 a 57 member team from 18 countries embarked on a benchmark expedition to the Antarctic. Convened by project director Michael AW of the Ocean Geographic Society, the team was comprised of some of the world's most celebrated image-makers, historians, and scientists. The mission is to scout, record, and express the fluid mysteries of the lingering past within this land of ice and snow –and to also capture a glimpse of the emerging future.

Elysium Epic is about extra ordinary explorers using Advant Garde technologies to observe and document the last wilderness on our planet. The aim of the project is produced a documentary feature and book to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the heroic legendary expedition of - Sir Ernest Shackleton's Trans Antarctic challenge in 1914. * The team explored the route of Shackleton and his men after they lost the Endurance from the Weddel Sea and across the treacherous Drake Passage to South Georgia. Hailed with overwhelming success, surviving 11 knots Hurricane force wind, the team managed to catured the splendour of the fauna, the terrain, the sights and sounds of this enchanting region in a manner that no one have ever done before. The expedition report presentation at the DRT Show by project director Michel AW and Dr Elizabeth Quat, explorer member from Hong Kong is the first after the expedition will offer sneak previews of the feature film and commemorative book in tribute to the 100th year anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton expedition schedule for launch in 2012.

The DRT Show is the first and one of the largest and most sought after events focused on diving, resort and travel held in Asia. The show's appeal brings together over [130] top-level exhibitors and is targeted to attract over 30,000 visitors to discover new brands, latest technology, revenue generating opportunities as well as gaining new insight on the importance of marine conservation.

This year, exhibitors will include leading dive equipment manufacturers, water sport equipment manufacturers, renowned dive resorts, tourism boards, diving organizations and many others. Exhibitors will be coming from Europe, America, South Pacific and across Asia to showcase the latest equipment, best dive sites, and to share their stories and knowledge on diving and the environment.

As part of its effort to boost awareness in marine conservation, DRT Show will also be hosting seminars conducted by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation and the Hong Kong Underwater Association sharing their latest insight on protecting our ocean and marine life. An underwater photo gallery of World class professional will also be set-up to showcase the most recent photos of the marine life.

On July 16, there will also be the Asia Pacific Diving Forum, an important summit attended by key leaders, such as CUA, HKUA, PADI, NAUI, TDISDI, DAN, SCUBAPRO, AQUALUNG, CRESSI-SUB and Hong Kong Government Departments to discuss Diving Business Development, Diving Safety and Marine Conservation Practice in Asia Pacific. In addition, veteran divers Mr. Rod Klein, Mr. Stephen Wong, Mr. Takako Uno and Mr. David Hsiung will be sharing with us on underwater photography. Michael AW, Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographer (ILCP.org) will be presenting a series of award winning images that will inspired greater respect and love for sharks.

Meanwhile, Mr. Steve Chen will also share the discovery story of the Nanhai One, which is the hottest and interesting topic nowadays. With such an impressive line up, the DRT Show will be the most successful diving, resort and travel event held in Asia. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.divingandresorttravelexpo.com for more information.

“Gifts from the Sea - The Finest Pictures of Ocean Geographic”

21 November to 20 December 2009
Venue: L2 SPACE, 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar, Distripark #02-02A
Tuesdays to Saturday – 11am to 7pm: Sunday – 1pm to 5pm
Admission - Free

L2 Space Gallery and the Ocean Geographic Society jointly present Singapore’s first-ever fine-art photography exhibition focused on ocean life - “Gifts from the Sea - The Finest Pictures of Ocean Geographic” from November 21 till 20 December 2009.
“A picture indeed paints a thousand words”, and for this exhibition L2 SPACE gallery has selected over 60 of the finest images from some of the world’s best nature photographers including aspirants based in Singapore. Beyond the traditional and popular images, a collection of astounding creatures of the seas will be revealed for the very first time in a public exhibition; it even includes the first picture of the Titanic when it was first found at 3.81 km (125,000 ft) beneath the Atlantic Ocean. With modern equipment and photographic technique, these artists have used their cameras and passionately uncovered our ocean’s magnificence and vulnerability, demystifying the rarely seen depths and its creatures.
For the first time, these visually arresting images are carefully reproduced in large scale with fine art quality for the audience to appreciate and reflect. Fine art imaging not only inspires the artist, but impacts the many who view and experience the artist’s work.
Part of the proceeds from the sale of these works will be donated to the Singapore Environmental Council (SEC) and Elysium Epic, a bench mark imagery expedition to Antarctica. “Today, oceans and their inhabitants are at a tipping point and we cannot afford to let this critical and fragile ecosystem collapse,” said Michael Aw, founder of Ocean Geographic and a celebrated underwater photographer. “This exhibition is to empower us to preserve and conserve our oceans through this visual expression of their beauty and vulnerability. “
*Elysium Epic: In February 2010, 58 of the world’s top environmental photographers, scientists and historians will follow Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance legendary survival route (1914-1917) from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia; using the state of the art digital imagery they will document the flora and fauna of life above and below water, the impact of climate change on the world’s most remote and fragile environment. Imageries from Elysium Epic will become part of the Ocean Geographic Climate Change Photographic Index.

Gifts of the Sea Photography Seminars:

For more information:
Yip Min-ting: +65 6539 9285, Min.ting@porternovelli.com
Yu Lei: +65 9674 2680, lei@l2space.com.sg
Maia Juantia: +65 8223 7667, gallery@l2space.com.sg

L2 SPACE, 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark #02-02A
OceanGeographic.org
ElysiumEpic.org

About the Principal Photographers:

• David Doubilet is the one of the world’s leading outdoor photographers/authors, with more than 65 stories published in National Geographic and other top publications. Fellow - Explorers Club, New York; Fellow - International League of Conservation Photographers
• Emory Kristof is a pioneer in the use of underwater imaging devices, he created the preliminary designs for the electronic camera system that first photographed the wreck of the Titanic. National Geographic Photographer in Residence; Fellow - Explorers Club, New York
• Wyland is a renowned marine life artist who has painted hundreds of wall murals - the 100th of which was for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
• Doug Perrine was named the 2004 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Fellow - International League of Conservation Photographers
• Ernie Brooks is a highly regarded master of underwater Black & White imagery & past president of the world famous Brooks Institute.
• Michael AW is a photographer and producer acclaimed for the world’s first 24 hours coral reef shoot in 1999. Fellow - Explorers Club, New York; Fellow - International League of Conservation Photographers

About L2 Space

The first fine art gallery in Singapore focussed on contemporary and classic fine-art photography, L2 SPACE is dedicated to promote international and local artists' works. Located in the heart of Singapore next to its bustling port, it is a contemporary venue for art exhibitions, events and arts-related activities such as Fine Arts Auctions, Group Arts Exhibitions and Festivals. For more information visit: www.l2space.com.sg or call: 8223 7667.

About Ocean Geographic

Ocean Geographic encourages a deeper appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our ocean planet with the use of the finest imageries and passionate essays of the sea. The voice of the society, the Ocean Geographic, Almanac of our Seas, endeavors to inspire the world citizen to greater awareness of the urgency to conserve and preserve our natural world.

Contacts:
Edward Dixon: +65 6539 9266, edixon@porternovelli.com
Yu Lei: +65 9674 2680, lei@l2space.com.sg
Maia Juantia: +65 8223 7667, gallery@l2space.com.sg
L2 SPACE, 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark #02-02A

Elysium

A team comprising of the world’s best nature conservation photographers, film makers, artists, musicians and scientists will embark on an imaging epic from the Weddell Sea of Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia. The team will be documenting the life above and below the ice, more or less following the trail of the 1914 Endurance Expedition by Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 28. It was the greatest true adventure story of the last century.

The explorers comprise of David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Wyland, Amos Nachoum, Heather Angel, Leandro Blanco, Álvaro de Marichalar, Jenny E. Ross, Michael AW and Jamie Watt will be producing a book, a movie but most importantly to curate a visual index database for climate change references of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. This 2010 expedition is billed to be the greatest photographic epic of the 21th century. If you wish to contribute or participate in this epic of a colossal scale email: info@ElysiumEpic.org
ElysiumEpic.org