TURNING NUMBERS INTO ART At 79 degrees north sits the world’s northernmost post office on Norway’s island of Spitsbergen. In this remote corner of the Svalbard archipelago, 30 people — a diverse, handpicked group of artists, scientists, sociologists and global professionals — set sail on a two-week expedition in May aboard a traditionally rigged schooner vessel to advance their careers and research. Benjamin Murphy, assistant professor of studio art, was accepted to the highly competitive annual residency where he learned about research projects surrounding the Arctic, climate or social issues related to those areas. Murphy, a visual artist focused on hydrological landscapes, uses data provided by scientists — whether topographical data or satellite imagery — to create visual forms. He sees it as a way to help scientists communicate their work. “I’m looking for new ways to make the genre of landscape artworks relevant today, and to say Benjamin Murphy takes in the landscape on his Arctic expedition. “One of the most important things about research is to be out there experiencing the world firsthand, cultivating relationships and building communities around the world.” BENJAMIN MURPHY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF STUDIO ART something about what’s taking place on our planet — how it’s changing — and to start thinking about how that affects the people that live on it and occupy the space,” Murphy said. Murphy’s work focuses on the Arctic ice cap. “To actually go and set foot on that, that part of the world that sort of touches all the information I’m gathering and collecting, was critical,” Murphy said. Murphy engaged with those who live and work in those remote areas to gather information he would have otherwise never accessed and connect with colleagues worldwide for future collaborations. “One of the most important things about research is to be out there experiencing the world firsthand, cultivating relationships and building communities around the world,” he said. “Those activities not only drive research, but they also create a dialogue that, I hope, can keep the world a place where we’re able to engage with each other peacefully.” OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 7
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