by ironically, meltwater ‘once ice’ claims a ‘stop’ of global warming
Amsterdam-based visual artist Allard Boterenbrood presents ‘Once Ice’, a conscious artwork which proposes an ironic solution to the constant rise in sea level with a collection of bottled meltwater. The non-potable ‘drink’ has been captured from some of the world’s most coveted melting glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic, and meticulously matured and submerged in over 100,000 years of heritage. Bottled meltwater, which cannot flow into the sea, is available in three varieties that reflect their locations, revealing aspects of both high mountains and deep oceans around the world.
In a humorous comment on the inefficient political agenda and corrupt marketing behind the fight against climate changethe project ‘symbolizes man’s betrayal of the climate’ and empowers the consumer to become an active agent in the difficult situation. However, the artist warns against drinking the meltwater, which could be laden with biological hazards such as viruses, metal, plastics, chemical residues, and suspended rock particles.
the installation on view at the Fundatie Museum | all images courtesy of Allard Boterenbrood
allard botrenbrood challenges politics + marketing
The title ‘Once Ice’ is an ironic commentary on the challenges of climate change and the intertwined political ramifications and agendas.. In a humorous version, Allard Boterenbrood’s bottled glacial meltwater debunks the myth that dominates the climate debate, which shifts broader responsibility from political powers to the general population, encouraging routine behavioral changes such as turning off the lights, taking shorter showers and separating waste, to little effect “But real change starts with politics,” the artist argues. “Twenty years later, temperatures are still rising, species are going extinct, and we are headed for unimaginable disaster.” he continues. Furthermore, ‘Once Ice’ alludes to the endless parade of swindlers who see a profit model in every crisis and enrich themselves under the guise of ‘the greater good’.
‘Once Ice’ is available in Arctic, Antarctic and Glacier Meltwater ‘flavors’
three ‘flavors’ embody glaciers in the arctic + antarctic
Allard Boterenbrood presents his new project on the occasion of the Climate Expo ’22 held at the Musée de Fundatie in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Released as an initial limited edition batch of 3,000,000,000 units, the bottles are available in three different ‘flavours’: ‘Once Ice Arctic Meltwater’, ‘Once Ice Antarctic Meltwater’ and ‘Once Ice Glacier Meltwater’. The products feature a fine blend of different types of unsustainable meltwater derived from 350 selected melted glaciers from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, including the Amery and Brunt Ice Shelves, the Seas of Beaufort and Eastern Siberia, and more. .
The accompanying tongue-in-cheek catchphrase “DO NOT DESPAIR, SALVATION IS AT HAND!” suggests an exhilarating promise to consumers to stop global sea level rise by simply buying bottled slush straight from the Arctic and Antarctic. To further emphasize the satirical concept, meltwater can even be turned back into ice by placing it in your home freezer.
non-potable sleet has been captured from some of the world’s most coveted melting glaciers
the meltwater has been meticulously matured and infused with over 100,000 years of heritage
Allard Boterenbrood presents his new project at the Climate Expo ’22 in Zwolle, the Netherlands
rear labels issue a warning against consuming potentially hazardous meltwater
