Arctic Reflections: Sailing the High Latitudes Through the Lens

The vast emptiness of Greenland's pristine fjords, towering icebergs and dramatic landscapes captured during Xploration's high-latitude sailing expedition were showcased in Barcelona this February. 'Polar Noir', a photography exhibition organized and presented by expedition crew member and photographer Alena Serada, brought the stark beauty of the Arctic to life through analog film photography.

During the summer of 2024, Alena joined Xploration's Arctic sailing expedition aboard expedition yacht Perola do Mar, documenting the 3,700-nautical-mile journey through some of the world's most remote waters. The expedition traversed the challenging waters between Norway, Svalbard, and Eastern Greenland—regions rarely accessed by sailing vessels.

The exhibition presented a collection of photographs shot entirely on 35mm black-and-white and color film, capturing the unique interplay of light, ice, and water characteristic of high Arctic latitudes. Each image revealed the profound solitude and raw wilderness encountered during the journey, offering visitors a glimpse into the beauty of emptiness that defines the Arctic experience.

'Polar Noir' was hosted at Utopia Gallery in Barcelona from 21-23 February 2025. The three-day event, conceived and organized by Serada herself, went beyond a traditional exhibition, creating an immersive experience through both visual art and music.

The opening night on Friday, 21 February, featured a specially commissioned avant-garde musical performance that blended authentic sounds of waves, wind, and natural elements recorded during the expedition with electronic beats. This soundscape transported visitors into the atmosphere of drifting among towering icy giants, fostering a connection to the pristine Arctic wilderness.

Saturday evening offered a more traditional approach with acoustic covers of popular songs, while Sunday provided a quieter exhibition experience plus a Manual Collage Workshop for those interested in creating their own art.

Several crew members from the Xploration team attended the opening night, supporting Serada's artistic vision and sharing first-hand accounts of navigating the challenging northern waters. Visitors had the opportunity to meet the expedition participants, ask questions about their sailing journey, and hear the stories behind the photographs.

Xploration specialises in designing sailing journeys to remote and challenging locations worldwide. The Arctic sailing expedition represented in the exhibition formed part of the company's commitment to meaningful travel and exploration of areas rarely visited by conventional vessels.