A room full of books and dialog

To mark the 15th anniversary of Neumayer Station III, the artist Lutz Fritsch provides insights into the history of its creation, the selection of books and the significance of the "Library in the Ice" as a cultural space for the Antarctic community.

Artist Lutz Fritsch in front of the library container. — Library in the Ice (Photo: Lutz Fritsch)

How did the idea of creating the Library in the Ice as an art project in Antarctica come about?

About 10 years passed between the idea for the "Library in the Ice" and its realization and opening at the Neumayer Station II in January 2005. In 1994/95, I was the first artist to have the opportunity to participate in the ANT XII-2 expedition of the Alfred Wegener Institute to Antarctica. And there were two aspects that gave me the idea for the "Library in the Ice". First, the many conversations with the scientists, both on the research vessel Polarstern and at the Neumayer Station II itself, which showed me how important the dialog between art and science is. The scientific research into the nature of Antarctica and my artistic research into the sensitivities of the natural environment complemented each other perfectly. There were lively conversations and discussions about their research, but also about life far from home. The overwinterer talked about their time in Antarctica, about living and working in the station under the ice, protected from wind and weather, but with no windows, no daylight, no view of the vastness of the Antarctic natural environment. It was a functional station, focused purely on scientific needs. That was the second aspect.

I wanted to continue the dialog in a special way. At that time I had the idea to create a counterpoint to the functional station. A place of dialogue between art and science on the ice, a place of retreat for the hibernators, a heated, beautifully furnished room for reading, with a window for a view into the distance: a library - a room full of books.

Visualising the interior (Photo: Lutz Fritsch)

The "Library in the Ice" is a place of exchange and reflection, far off from the daily routine of the research station. How did you envision this place and what criteria did you use to select the books in the library?

As far as the eye can see, snow and ice dominate the vastness of Antarctica. It shimmers in many different hues depending on the time of day, but what is completely missing is the color green. So I chose a different shade of green for the exterior walls of the specially insulated 20-foot container in which the Library in the Ice would be built: May green, emerald green, yellow green, and leaf green. The floor and roof of the library will be painted bright red. The interior of the library is carpeted and furnished with warm cherry wood shelves and a comfortable leather sofa with cushions. The walls are covered with fabric and there is a desk with an armchair in front of the window. The lighting gives the room a warm glow.

The "Library in the Ice" was to be located at a certain distance from the station, so that travelers in winter would consciously go to a place of culture and also feel a certain distance from the working world.

I wanted to continue the dialogue that had begun between me as an artist and the scientists, through the dialogue between the Antarctic winter visitor and the people in their distant homeland: I wrote and still write personally to artists and scientists, asking them to donate a book for this library that they think the overwinterers should read. They were all asked to write their name on the front of the book and a statement as to why they chose that particular book. The idea was to create a special dialogue between donors and readers.

Beyond the cultural significance of this project, how was the relocation of the library to Neumayer Station III organized and what challenges were faced?

I was not personally involved in the necessary relocation of the library to the new Neumayer Station III. But I was told that moving the library container, which is on a sled construction, was a particular challenge for the overwintering team and the logistics team on site. They stretched nets in front of the shelves to prevent books from falling out during the move. Other loose items were secured with straps. With these precautions in place, it was a smooth sleigh ride to the new location.

The library in the ice from the inside (Photo: Reinhard Sibberns)

Can you give some examples of the books on the shelves in the library, and what are the criteria for artists and scientists who are allowed to donate books to this place?

There are now almost 700 books in the Library in the Ice. I write to artists, writers, cultural workers and scientists from a wide range of disciplines who catch my eye in an exciting way. From poetry to novels, non-fiction, illustrated books, and light fiction, everything is included, with an explanation from the donor. However, neither the individual titles nor the names of the donors and their often very personal dedications are published. The books are reserved for the overwinterers and only for them. The Library in the Ice is an indirect dialog between donors here and readers there in the southernmost library in the world.

February 2024

More information

Eine der außergewöhnlichsten Büchersammlungen der Welt - Die Bibliothek im Eis

Neumayer-Station III

bibliothek-im-eis.de