Reservoir

Reservoir is A collaborative exhibition about the impact of climate change on the hydrological system at Volcán Cayambe in Ecuador. Byers and her collaborator, Emily Dzieweczynski use auditory, olfactory, and visual characteristics observed at the Hermoso glacier on Volcán Cayambe during a National Science Foundation research trip in June of 2019 to offer viewers a bodily experience of the tropical glacier.

Collaborating with scientists gave the artists a significant opportunity to observe first-hand the collection of scientific data and to partner directly with colleagues working in the field. This project purposefully overlaps the boundaries between art and science, aiming to delineate the ways in which the fields of science and art intersect to mutually benefit one another. Art can offer a subjective place to explore concerning viewpoints that are often an immediate consequence to learning about scientific data regarding climate change. Viewers will be encouraged to explore with all of their senses throughout the gallery and ultimately, to reflect on what it means to be a glacier in today’s world of rising global temperatures and increasing melt.

The work in this exhibition is  supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1758854. The interdisciplinary team consists of principal investigators Dr. Jeff LaFrenierre, Dr. Crystal Ng, Dr. Daniel Stanton, Dr. Andrew Wickert, and Dr. Li Li. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.