Antarctic panorama in Leipzig - icy and fascinating

Icy, inhospitable but so important for the Earth: visitors to the Panometer in Leipzig can now immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Antarctica. The artist Yadegar Asisi has created a 360-degree panorama with glaciers, icebergs, whales and penguins. The 32-metre-high panorama will celebrate its world premiere in Leipzig on 24 January. According to the organizer, it will be on display for at least two years.

"Antarctica is so beautiful, fascinating and moving, but at the same time the most inhospitable place I know," said Asisi during a press tour. At the same time, it is climatically, atmospherically and as a global water system indispensable for the Earth.

What can be seen in the exhibition

Visitors first go on a tour with numerous photos of the journey: Waves pile up meters high and icebergs rise out of the icy sea in bizarre shapes. Two hatched emperor penguin eggs can also be seen. Before the actual ascent to the 32-metre-high panorama, Asisi also acts as a warning: "We humans really have no business here and the region must never belong to anyone," said the 70-year-old. Especially in the border regions, nature shows "what little gnomes we actually are".

What does the huge panorama show?

In the huge circular building, a former gas storage facility, 80 steps lead up three levels to the highest platform. The 32-metre-high circular image condenses the natural environment of the Antarctic and places the coastal landscape in the foreground. Humpback whales breach the waterline and killer whales lie in wait for prey in the icy waters, while sea lions and penguins snooze on the rocks. In addition, the wreck of a whaler bears witness to a dramatic accident and research teams are out and about in rubber dinghies. Within 15 minutes, the visitor experiences the night and day sequence, accompanied by specially composed music.

This is how the fascinating images were created

Asisi spent a good two weeks traveling the region to study the light and structures of the ice. With his team of several photographers and state-of-the-art technology, he managed to capture impressive images of the force of nature. "I was most fascinated by the darkness. Only then does the cold and the danger emanating from the Antarctic become apparent," emphasized Asisi. He also let himself be set adrift on an ice floe for around an hour. "I found peace there so that I could draw, but at the same time I also experienced how helpless people are here."

What the artist is planning for the future

Antarctica is the fifth work in Asisi's series of nature panoramas after Mount Everest, Amazonia, the Great Barrier Reef and Carola's Garden. "Now I'm still missing the desert and the deep sea," explained the 70-year-old. The design for the deep sea is already complete. The problem, however, is the lighting for this project in the darkness of the sea. Although he still lacks a concrete idea for a desert theme, he has already arranged a meeting with a desert expert.

In addition to Leipzig, Asisi's panoramas will also be shown in Berlin, Dresden, Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Pforzheim. Two further exhibition locations are also under construction in Vienna and Constance.