AntiAntarctica: Polar Bear Relocation Initiative 

Jiabao Li, Alanah Knibb, 2024

During the Arctic Circle Artist Residency, we developed the "Polar Bear Relocation Initiative", to relocate polar bears from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Hence the “Antarctic” (no-bear) needs to be renamed to “Anti-Antarctic” (not no-bear). This absurd solution stems from the urgent reality that polar bears are losing their habitat due to the rapidly melting ice caused by climate change. A panel of "experts" devised hilarious strategies to execute this relocation, ranging from inflating the bears with balloons and waiting for the Earth to rotate, to luring them south with a trail of seals, injecting GLP-1 to help them lose weight to reduce shipping costs, transporting them in international waters to avoid paper works, and even shipping them aboard cruise ships marketed as "green tourism."

However, this misguided plan would result in ecological disaster, as the apex predators would devastate the Antarctic ecosystem, preying on penguins and wreaking havoc on the delicate balance of life there. The penguins, horrified by being turned into a buffet, protest “Polar bears are Polish, send them back to Poland!“, prompting the experts to suggest building a wall between the penguins and polar bears.

Though this plan may sound ridiculous, similar ideas have been seriously discussed by experts, highlighting the hubris of policymakers and scientists suffering from a "nature deficit disorder." These naive, large-scale interventions attempt to address the climate crisis we've created, often without considering the deeper consequences.

The green polar bear in this installation draws inspiration from Inuka, the polar bear who lived and died at the Singapore Zoo. Inuka, the first polar bear to grow up in the tropics, developed a green tint in his fur due to algae growth within the hollow strands, a symbol of how out-of-place polar bears are in warm climates.

To participate, lie on the green polar bear, aligning your head, arms, and legs with its body. Secure the restraints at your wrists and ankles, and put on the headphones to listen to a 30-minute audio loop of "experts" discussing their outlandish strategies for the “Polar Bear Relocation Initiative”.

“Experts” in the audio:

Jiabao Li, Alanah Knibb, Oddvar Instanes, Alexander Rosenberg, Cheyenne Phillips, Harriet Harriss, Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger, Aleksandra Zawistowska, Sarah Aziz, Scott Carroll, Taavi Suisalu, Kristofor Giordano 

Special Thanks:

Our guides from the Arctic Circle Artist in Residence: Sarah Gerats, Kelsey, Lisa, Tuomas

The crew of Antigua: Britt, Estée, Henner, Sabina, Serge, Wessel

All the artist and writer friends on the boat!