Contact person: Maria Peter. Email: maria.peter@ntnu.no
Group web site: Cryosphere - Department of Geosciences
Brief description of the research group
The cryosphere research group at the Department of Geosciences works on glaciology, geomorphology and permafrost with a methods focus on modeling and remote sensing.
My research topic has been focused on the geomorphology and permafrost topics. For a former project I estimated the frost weathering potential in high-elevation plateau blockfields in Svalbard and Norway through numerical modeling supported with field measurements. Frost weathering is the main weathering process in cold regions and the main engine behind how non-glaciated and low-relief landscapes evolve over thousands to millions of years. Blockfields at plateau summits and in low slope angles are a special landform which partly was created through frost weathering and still bears mysteries to be solved about their genesis. While doing fieldwork with the frost weathering project I collected lots of near-surface and deeper temperature measurements, which can be the basis of a data sonification and visualization art project. Currently, I work on investigating the thermo-hydrological changes in an endorheic catchment at the Tibetan Plateau, also through supporting numerical modeling with field measurements that are collected at the moment. The artists project can be based on one of the two or both topics.
Within the cryosphere research group I collaborate with Bernd Etzelmueller and Sebastian Westermann.
Motivation for collaborating with an artist
I am motivated to collaborate with an artist, because I find it important to make research results available for the wider public in a form of output which is different to the traditional peer-reviewed research paper, and where open access is still not common sense.
During several years of fieldwork, I have collected a large amount of near-surface and deeper ground temperature measurements, files with temperature values logged every 3 hours. Working with these cycles of ever changing numbers in the form of data sonification produces interesting soundscapes, or 'datascapes', which can be listened to during immersive events. These immersive events could ideally also feature visuals or certain light installations which support the sensory experience. The events could happen in places where there are sophisticated, strong and intricate sound systems available and where visuals could be projected, for example in galleries and club spaces. I have experimented with data sonification myself and would love to explore it further in collaboration with an artist.
Examples of activities that the artist can participate in
The artist can participate in fieldwork and during the immersive events and possible workshops in schools or at the university, planned as dissemination tool. This could take place in Oslo and nearby region or other cities in Norway.
Work space / time period
The research group can offer a desk in a shared office at Geologibygningen during their entire stay. Any time period fall 2026 - spring 2027.