"On the occasion of the International Polar Year 2007- 2008, an exhibit of polar photographs will be showcased at the Ervin Szabó Public Library in downtown Budapest, beginning September 11 to October 5.The Canadian husband-and-wife team, Pat and Rosemarie Keough have been creating photographs and artists books for over 20 years. Their most ambitious project has been the nearly 9-kilogram volume ANTARCTICA, a leather-bound, limited-edition tome featuring their polar photographs taken during the seasons of daylight from 1999 through 2001.
At the library both the hand-bound tome and a selection of some 80 photos of the complete portfolio of 345 Keough Antarctic images will be exhibited. The Keoughs portray the ‘white continent’ as a place of magnificent color. They have
captured the myriad shades of white, blue, pink, purple, gold, and even green—colours which change throughout the long days at the whim of the weather and with the angle of the sun. While the Antarctic is magnificent on a grand scale, the Keoughs’ experience showed that it is also hostile and unforgiving.
The quality of the imagery and the ANTARCTICA book itself has lead to 22 prestigious awards including the world’s best photography book, world’s best nature photography and world’s best printing. Critics and curators worldwide have acclaimed ANTARCTICA an heirloom for the next generation.
Pat and Rosemarie Keough have pledged all net proceeds from the 950 copies of ANTARCTICA to international albatross conservation programs to help reverse the precipitous decline in the world’s population of albatrosses. An incidental consequence of current longline fishing practices is that 17 of the world’s 24 species of albatross are now
at risk of extinction.
Last January, the Hungarian public had a chance to see the rich selection of those photos thanks to the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The exhibit is now organized to raise awareness of the International Polar Year 2007-2008, marking the largest-ever international program of scientific and educational research focussed on the earth's polar
regions. Through its Arctic region, Canada is engaged in this 24-month program, including over 200 projects and affecting 60 countries, and plays an important global leadership role.
During the exhibit there will be a drawing contest for children under 12, in addition to an Antarctica quiz, which is available online only at the
library’s website. Prizes for the winners of both contests are numerous, and are offered by Tropicarium Budapest, the Budapest Zoo, Süni Magazine, the Ministry of Environment and Water
Management, The National Geographic Kids, and the WWF Budapest.
Venue: Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library (VIII. Szabó Ervin tér 1.)
The exhibit is open 10am-8pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on Saturdays from September 11 to October 5."
For further information may contact:
Tamás Papp
Political and Media Relations Officer
25.09.2007