In 1979, Sting and The Police sang about sending an SOS to the world.
In 2006 and 2007, while working on his book “Antarctica: The Global Warming,” Los Angeles-based photographer Sebastian Copeland did more than just sing about saving the world, he actually gave it a try.
His book is filled with photographs from his travels to Antarctica and is meant to bring attention to its landscape, which is in danger from the effects of global warming.
Copeland will deliver a free lecture and media presentation regarding his book today at 10 a.m. at Cal Poly’s Spanos Theater. He will also be on hand later this evening at the San Luis Obispo Art Center, where an exhibit of his photography is on display to sign copies of his book.
The exhibit, a small collection of Copeland’s photographs, features sweeping panoramic views of broken blue ice as well as monstrous, sculpture-like icebergs as they exist in the polar region.
Muara Johnston, assistant director at the art center points to Copeland’s photography to show his concern for the Arctic area. Pointing to a picture of the phrase “SOS” spelled out in human form she said, “. those are actually people lined up making the SOS and the idea, of course is ‘help, the cap is melting’.”
“He’s really impassioned about the environment,” said Gordon Fuglie, the curator for exhibits at the San Luis Obispo Art Center.
“These are images of Antarctica like you’ve never seen before,” he said. “I think these will come as a surprise to our visitors just because we think of these mighty icebergs and so forth, and here these things are withering away because they are prematurely heated up. You know, out there, icebergs have broken away, but out there it’s happening at such a rapid rate, comparatively.”
Prior to his travels to Antarctica, Copeland had dabbled in cold weather photography while in Greenland.
“I was totally unprepared in the Arctic,” Copeland said during a phone interview, of his initial ventures to the icy region.
However, the learning experience proved worthwhile, as Copeland knew what equipment would be more realistic for shooting in cold environments when he went to Antarctica.
Copeland, who is in his 40s and works from his Los Angeles-based studio, has been published on numerous occasions and has also been the recipient of major photography awards such as the two first places he received at the International Photography Awards in 2006 as well as 2007.
Primarily a fashion and celebrity designer, Copeland has drifted into the realm of environmental photography, through which he has rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most notable environmental figures.
“Sebastian was really a fashion and celebrity photographer for many years, doing the covers of magazines (such as) Vanity Fair and that kind of thing,” said Johnson.
“He went to Antarctica and was so moved by what he experienced there that he then became involved with Mikhail Gorbachev.”
Gorbachev has become well known as environmental and humanitarian activist through his organization Green Cross International. Copeland sits on the board of an organization called Global Green USA, dubbed a “sister organization” of Green Cross, operates in the U.S.
In addition to his ties with Gorbachev, Copeland has also established a relationship with famed cinematic celebrity Leonardo DiCaprio – the director, co-producer, narrator and writer of the 2007 environmental documentary The 11th Hour.
Gorbachev provided the forward for the book while DiCaprio penned the introduction.
The Copeland show will precede several global warming-based events, including an exhibition of painter J.J. L’Heureux’s works on Antarctic ice and light starting Oct. 29, as well as a lecture on the effects of global warming by ecotourism guru and adjunct Cal Poly journalism professor Kim Lisagor on November 2.
“The pair shows a painter’s experience, a professional photographer’s experience (and) is going to present a real rich, aesthetic array of things to consider,” Fuglie said.
Copeland hopes his photographs will leave a lasting impression on his viewers. “To preserve Antarctica is another way to preserve ourselves,” he said.