ARTISTS TALKING

# 41 [9 August 2008]

Th'Arctic Social Reports - An interview with Salford Online - 5th August 08
 
Tom Rodgers interviewed Rebecca today.  Tom is the first journalist for “Salford Online”, a local community website based in; yeah you guessed it, Salford.
 
Rebecca outlined her plans for her expedition in March 09, telling Tom of her strenuous training routine, as well as her main reasons for going to the Arctic.  “When I’m on expedition, I’m really in the Arctic zone.  I know that I’m getting a lot from this, not just fulfilling my own dream but it’s also helping me as an artist to expand my artwork.”
 
Rebecca explained how her family are really supportive, backing her all the way.  Due to the dangers that the Arctic holds her family do have slight doubts, but because they know that she is very passionate about this, they respect it.  “I’m a real family person, I have a very close relationship with them and they’ve been really supportive of me”. 
 
When mentioning the problems of an expedition she explained that “As an artist I'm very much an independent person, but when on expedition you become part of a team, with little personal space... I like working as a team, but I also like the silent bits during the day when you're pulling your pulk, because for a creative person it’s great; you can get lost in your thoughts and take in your surroundings.”   For Rebecca it’s the psychological side which poses the biggest challenge, not the physical side.  This being because it’s very easy for morale to drop, but “It’s very important to stay positive, so as to keep people’s sprits high” said Rebecca. 
 
The harsh Arctic climate however, may have already caused psychological problems for Rebecca though, as she found out on her Arctic training...  “I started dreaming about famous ginger haired men!” explained Rebecca.  Mick Hucknall and Chris Evans were the two who occupied her dreams.  “I dreamt I met Mick in a bar for a few drinks and then I dreamt I was going down Manchester’s Oxford Road in a horse drawn carriage with Chris Evans.” Said Rebecca “I was discussing how great my thermal socks were… He took a fibre sample from them and took it away to analyse”! 
 
So, there you have it.   Some pretty random and actually rather strange dreaming going on in her Scandinavian Arctic expedition, but apart from that, once again, a very successful interview by Rebecca.
 
The interview with Tom Rodgers should be up and ready to be read by you all very soon.

Maximilian Igbon - Th'Arctic Social Contributor

# 42 [11 August 2008]

Meltdown in the Arctic is speeding up

Scientists warn that the North Pole could be free of ice in just five years' time instead of 60

Read the full article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/10/climatechange.arctic

# 43 [11 August 2008]

Russian warships to patrol Arctic

Russia is sending warships to patrol Arctic waters for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, it announced yesterday, in the latest move to increase the country's global military presence.

Read the full story here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/15/russia.arctic

# 44 [13 August 2008]

Press Release - Th'Arctic seeks Business Sponsors!

Salford University artist Rebecca McKnight is setting her sights on the ‘roof of the world’ as she prepares to embark on a 300-mile expedition across the Canadian Arctic. 

The Salford Artist-in-Residence is aiming to turn her Arctic voyage into a unique art project featuring a live blog, exhibitions, a creative social networking project and schools workshops  – and Rebecca is on the hunt for businesses to support her. 

The 28-year-old from Blackburn, Lancashire has undergone nearly two years of training – including a three week trek in the Scandinavian Arctic, funded by Arts Council England – and is planning to put her survival skills to the test in March 2009. 

Rebecca’s quest will involve hiking with her teammates unsupported between the two highest Inuit communities in the region – as well updating her blog and documenting her journey with photography and video. 

It’s all part of an arts research project created by Rebecca, called Th’Arctic (Lancashire for The Arctic!).  “I am using the expedition as a catalyst to generate ideas for my artwork which I will exhibit in 2009, but also to generate discussion and debate about the Arctic, which is one of the most precious and endangered places in the world.” she explained. 

“It’s always been my ambition to walk through the Arctic and live in its wild environment – ever since I was a little girl.  I see it as an opportunity to find out more about myself and the world we live in.” 

Th’Arctic will involve Rebecca developing artwork inspired by her expedition, visiting local schools and galleries to give talks and workshops, and involving aspiring writers, artists and filmmakers in an innovative Arctic-themed social networking project. 

“I want to use the trip as the inspiration for different art projects and involve my local communities and the communities I’ll be visiting in the Arctic” said Rebecca.  “I see it as much more than an artist going on expedition – it’s a chance to educate, share my experiences and be creative!” 

For the project to succeed, Rebecca is looking for businesses to back her – like her first sponsor, personal trainer David Brownley from The Fitness Works in Salford. 

She said: “David trained the army in Arctic survival and is getting me into shape so I can cope with the extreme physical strains of the trip.  I’m hoping that other businesses will see the artistic and educational value in my project too and help make it a reality.” 

Any businesses interested in sponsoring Rebecca should call her on 01254 277 190 or email reb.mcknight@gmail.com for a sponsorship information pack.

# 45 [15 August 2008]

Th’Arctic radio interview with Heather Stott, BBC Radio Manchester- 13th August 2008

Rebecca and her personal trainer, David Brownley were interviewed by the BBC Radio Manchester presenter Heather Stott today in the BBC studio.

Sipping midmorning drinks, Rebecca and Dave were both asked questions about Rebecca’s up and coming expedition.  Dave explained the tough conditions and the problems that Rebecca will face in the Arctic in March 09 as well as answering any technical questions about the human body.  (Impressing Heather with his knowledge on biology)

Mentioning once again, her personal passion for the Arctic and her plans for the next few months, Rebecca, in a swiftly concise interview of seven minutes; spread the word of Th’Arctic a little bit further today. 

So, as you all would have heard and will agree, today’s interview by the Th’Arctic duo went very well indeed.

Maximilian Igbon - Th'Arctic Social Contributor

# 46 [19 August 2008]

Th'Arctic is in the Manchester Evening News tomorrow - so check it out!

And congratulations to Max!!! who has passed his A Levels and got into Manchester Metropolitan to study English Literature and French!

Max is looking to develop a short documentary film on climate change with a twist - I'll post some info on it soon because he'll be looking for collaborators and crew.  If you don't know who Max is then you're reading this blog backwards ;)

Meanwhile I've secretly been creating a Th'Arctic Social Facebook Group and hopefully I'll be launching it this week...  More info soon to come on that... 

And lastly, I went for a fell run round Kinder Scout and Kinder Lowe on Sunday and I'm pleased to report that its getting easier (which must mean I'm getting fitter!),., so thanks for that Dave.

That's all for now... 

# 47 [19 August 2008]

Mysterious Arctic whale under threat from changing habitat 

Polar bears may get more attention – and later this week a court-ordered decision by the US government will almost certainly see them listed as a threatened species – but new research suggests the narwhal, the mysterious whale with a long spiral tusk, may be more at risk from climatic change.

Researchers fear that the narwhal is so attuned to its environment and so narrow in its range of habitat and specific in diet, that it may be one of the least able of Arctic mammals to adapt to rapid warming in the high north.

Read the full article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/13/... 

INTERESTING FACTS: The narwhal is also commonly known as the Moon Whale or the Polar Whale. In Inuktitut (the language spoken in the Canadian Arctic) the narwhal is named qilalugaq, meaning  "the one that points to the sky"

In Inuit legend, the narwhal was created when a woman holding onto a harpoon had been pulled into the ocean and twisted around the harpoon. The submerged woman was wrapped around a beluga whale on the other end of the harpoon.

Some medival Europeans believed narwhal tusks to be the horns from the legendary unicorn.  As these "horns" were considered to have magic powers, Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold.  The tusks were used to make cups that were thought to negate any poison that may have been slipped into the drink. During the 16th century,Queen Elizabeth received a carved and bejeweled narwhal tusk for £10,000—the cost of a castle (approximately £1.5—2.5 Million today!)  

# 48 [20 August 2008]

TH'ARCTIC SOCIAL GOES LIVE!

Th'Arctic Social is an online space where you can look at creative stuff about the Arctic or random creative links to the Arctic :)

You can add your own thoughts, online discoveries and creative work to the group and make friends & chat with group members.

I'll be publishing a number of interviews with people that are connected to the Arctic in some way and will send out occaisional messages highlighting new interviews and creative content added.

I'd like more people to get involved in adding content, so drop me an email if you want to write something for the group or just add it yourself anyway! :) ta

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFO & TO JOIN!

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24442663...

# 49 [21 August 2008]

TH'ARCTIC NEWS!

Th'Arctic has got a little mention on Teletext...

http://www.teletext.co.uk/regionalnews/north-west/...

Short but sweet :)

Also I'm also spreading the Th'Arctic word in South Manchester Reporter this week and doing a sound interview for Manchester Today, an online news programme.  I'll post the links up when they're done.

I'm very excited about Th'Arctic Social which I launched yesterday... 

I was so happy when my first person joined... thank you Emma! And now there are 70 members!  I know it doesn't sound a lot,., but it's the QUALITY of the subscribers! :) so I'm really happy.

I've already had a few people post things up.  Lee Preston is an ARCTIC FILMMAKER and has posted information up on his film project and a whole range of Arctic photographs from his trips.

And lots of people have responded to my request to find Arctic musicians...  

Also ARCTIC EXPLORER Eric Larsen will be doing a interview for Th'Arctic Social all the way from GREENLAND; where he's leading a National Geographic expedition...

For more news and to see creative stuff about the Arctic see/join Th'Arctic Social:

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24442663...

Lastly tonight I will be training with David, my personal trainer then going to Cornerhouse's Private View of MASAKI FUJIHATA: THE CONQUEST OF IMPERFECTION which looks really interesting.

This weekend - the surf is looking GREAT! Wales here I come! If you're interested, I've posted some Arctic surf clips on Th'Arctic Social,.,. I like to combine all the things I love! :)

# 50 [17 September 2008]

Th'ARCTIC PROJECT ON SALFORD CITY RADIO TODAY at 2PM!

Hi everyone; just a quick heads up that I'll be speaking and playing a few records on Salford City Radio today.  It is part of Salford City Radio's Business Radio Programme and I am being interview by Jon Monk from the Chapel Street Business Group.

You can listen live here:

http://www.salfordcommunityradio.org/

I'm chatting about Th'Arctic, why I'm doing this and my search for business sponsorship.  

Cheers, Rebecca