Desirée Patterson

Becoming Water

Part of an evolving body of work, this sculpture suspends two photographs depicting the Athabasca Glacier and Mount Andromeda (iconic features of the Columbia Icefield), within solid ice. Among the world’s most accessible glaciers, these landscapes have witnessed dramatic changes with millions of visitors observing their rapid retreat over the past century. In 2023, the Athabasca Glacier recorded its most significant melt in over a decade; a stark reminder of the escalating impacts of climate change and the pressing need for global action.

Encasing these images in solid ice the sculpture transforms into an ephemeral performance piece symbolizing the fragility of glacial environments. Throughout the exhibition, I actively manage the melting process, striving to slow the thaw while preserving structural integrity. This effort mirrors humanity’s ongoing struggle to mitigate the consequences of exceeding a 1.5 degree Celsius global temperature increase and reflects my own anxieties about the world’s deteriorating cryosphere.

As the ice melts the sculpture gradually dissolves, leaving behind a pool of water. As the photographic prints float within this liquid their surfaces slowly degrade into abstract forms, rendering the original landscapes increasingly unrecognizable. This transformation invites viewers to reflect on the impermanence of the natural world, the cyclical processes of nature, and the vital role glaciers play in sustaining life on our planet.