Lessons from the Arctic
How Roald Amundsen won the race to the South Pole.
Description
In December 1911, Roald Amundsen planted the Norwegian flag at the South Pole, just weeks ahead of British polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott, who was approaching by another route. The tragic loss of the lives of Scott’s team is well known—but how did Amundsen succeed?
This panel exhibition of images and personal accounts reveals how, exploring some of the lessons Amundsen learnt from earlier experience in both polar regions, Amundsen won the race to the South Pole. The rare images were taken by the expedition crew, hand-coloured by Amundsen and used in his 1912 lecture. See what the public saw in those heady days of icy exploration. Fascinating and fresh, this exhibition will surprise and delight.
Free entry. Open 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday
Associated public talks:
6pm in Lecture Theatre 1, Faculty of Architecture and Design
1 February: Screening of Amundsen episode from ‘Ten Who Dared’, (1977), narrated by Anthony Quinn
14 February: Dr Ursula Rack—Race to the South Pole: A historian’s view
19 February: Professors James Renwick and Tim Naish—A race to save the pole: A scientist’s view
27 February: Pip Cheshire—The nature of building on the Antarctic continent: An architect’s view
For more information contact: Dao Polsiri
dao.polsiri@vuw.ac.nz 044636587