The Bear in the Square
Renowned sculptor Mark Coreth is creating a life-sized sculpture of a Polar bear out of ice and bronze for Trafalgar Square and then for major cities across four continents.
As each Ice Bear melts, it will leave a bronze skeleton, a pool of water and a powerful environmental message.
The bear will be exhibited at ground level, so that everyone can reach out and touch this inspirational and iconic symbol of the Arctic.
Bear in the Square events will have a lasting impact on whoever experiences them.
A panel of the UK's top art consultants and the City of Westiminster have described the Ice bear as "innovative and involving". Permission has been granted for ten days on the concourse outside the National Gallery.
This event will coincide with the UN Climate Conference of December 7-18 2009 in Copenhagen, where international delegates will negotiate apost Kyoto Protocol global climate plan.
Following London, our vision is to create Bears in Squares from the centre of Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo, Berlin, Rome, Moscow, New York, Toronto, Bejing and Sydney.
The website (www.icebearproject.org) aims to give people a real sense of involvement in the project. It will contain video clips, stills, articles by the main participants and up-to-date reports on the process of creating the Bear.There will also be regular updates to publicise the London event and the ongoing Bear Project.
Visitors will be able to sign up for the newsletter, access polar bear information, link to other organisations, shop from Ice Bear merchandise and also donate to the Ice Bear Project.
ICE BEAR - THE FILM
Nick Baker, wildlife expert and broadcaster joins Mark Coreth, extreme sculptor, in tracking polar bears as part of their mission to create a life-sized bear for Trafalgar Square.
The film will follow their quest to know this top predator inside and out. They are seeking its essence, which will become the Bear in the Square, a powerful new icon designed to focus the world's attention on an evironment whose future is in the balance.