Art meets science-computer animation of remote sensing data for communicating information on the environmental complexity of the polar regions

The German Art and Exhibition Hall in Bonn has designed and hosted an art-exhibition on scientific, historical and artistic aspects of the polar regions of the Earth. Named Arktis/Antarktis (Arctic/Antarctic) the exhibit showed historical maps, explorers equipment, flora, fauna, cultural and artistic work and other aspects of polar life and exploration. Apart from these "hands-on" displays, an Internet service and the "polar interactive theatre" where established to inform the visitors about scientific developments and environmental aspects concerning the poles using new media. Within the polar interactive theatre visitors where able to experience seven interactive stories specific to the polar regions, using multimedia techniques and largely based upon animations from remote sensing data related to the Arctic and Antarctic. Additionally, an Internet service and a conference on "visual reality-on the use of geo information in multimedia", were hosted. The contents of the exhibit and the polar interactive theatre have furthermore been combined on a CD-ROM which will be distributed free of charge to the "Landesbildstellen" and the "Landesfilmdienste" of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1999. These events further helped to communicate the usefulness and the potential contained in remote sensing information especially when dealing with remote and inaccessible areas like the polar regions.