“My work tends to be kind of quiet, I think. It's designed to be kind of meditative; a lot of the video work is slow and my book work is slow." Megan Berner has long been interested in photographing what she calls daydreaming spaces and very soon her dream of documenting the Arctic Circle will come to life. "I came across this residency for the Arctic Circle and it was made for me! That was sort of the reaction I had."
Megan will spend three weeks with of a group of about 20 from people around the world up 10-degrees from the Polar North. They will sail on a ship around the archipelagos; an expedition she calls an opportunity of a lifetime. "It's really inaccessible. You can't just get to it easily and I just want to document it."
This project will add to the University of Nevada lecturer's already impressive body of work. Along with photos and videos, Megan also creates installations. One is still up at the St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City. The Northern Nevada native has also created pieces for the Reno Philharmonic and collaborated with a number of fellow area artists.
Her next artistic endeavor, however, will be even more unique. Artist and scientist led, The Arctic Circle Annual Expeditionary Residency program will take sail during the summer solstice. The sun won't be setting and will shine light on her pictures, passion and perspective. "A catalyst for me to make a lot of work and just be inspired, which I think is the biggest thing."
Megan hopes to raise roughly $9,500 for this residency opportunity. She launched a crowd-funding campaign through Hatchfund, which supports artists. To make a donation, click on one of the following links.
