Tuesday, April 22, 2014
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Our Mission
Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2013-2014 season is made possible, in part, by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and other numerous foundations, corporations and individuals. As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all cell phones, pagers, beepers and other electronic devices. Please unwrap any lozenges before the performance begins. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Media Partner
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National Geographic Live presents Paul Nicklen: Polar Obsession BIOGRAPHY
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Paul Nicklen uses his camera to reveal the nature of the changing polar regions due to the effects of a warming planet.
POLAR OBSESSION
“I call myself an interpreter and a translator,” says Nicklen. “I translate what the scientiests are telling me. If we lose ice, we stand to lose an entire eco-system. I hope we can realize through my photography how interconnected these species are to ice. It just takes one image to get someone’s attention.” He has indeed managed to get people’s attention. Whether he is ice diving among leopard seals in Antarctica, covering hundreds of miles of terrain in -40F temperatures, or mastering aerial shots from his ultralight plane, Paul Nicklen has specialized in photographing polar regions since 1995. A unique childhood among the Inuit in Canada’s Arctic and a professional background as a biologist in the Northwest Territories enable him to take on the most inhospitable places on our planet. His images reflect a reverence for the creatures inhabiting these isolated and endangered environments. Paul has published thirteen stories for National Geographic Magazine, including 2011’s August cover story on the elusive Spirit Bear. His latest story was on Emperor Penguins in the November 2012 issue. His latest book, Polar Obsession, was published by National Geographic in November 2009 and was in its third printing within months of publication. He has received more than twenty international awards, including 14 awards with World Press Photo (including 2012 Grand Prize), three with Pictures of the Year International, and ten with BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the 2012 NRDC Biogems Award, and the 2012 UVIC Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to his TED2011 talk, appearances on television shows such as Jeopardy and in YouTube videos receiving millions of hits have recently thrust him into the popular culture spotlight. Paul lives on Vancouver Island in British Colombia, Canada.
As a photojournalist working in some of the world’s most remote environments, Paul Nicklen faces incredible hardships and danger in pursuit of powerful, closeup images of iconic wildlife. His early years on Canada’s Baffin Island, spent growing up alongside the Inuit, taught Nicklen an intense love of nature, an understanding of harsh, icy ecosystems, and survival skills essential to his work. Nicklen’s book Polar Obsession, a retrospective of his photos from the Arctic and Antarctic, captured the imagination of the public and garnered four BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. His National Geographic story on Emperor Penguins showcased his wry sense of humor, and the work won 1st place for Nature Stories in the 2012 World Press photo contest. Recently, Nicklen also completed a yearslong study of bears, an animal to whose survival he is fiercely dedicated. His photos of Canada’s elusive Spirit Bears, rare black bears with creamcolored fur and white claws, made the cover story of the August 2011 National Geographic. Nicklen’s upcoming National Geographic book Bear: Spirit of the Wild, features compelling photo essays on four signature species—polar bears, black bears, grizzlies, and Spirit Bears. DEFINING MOMENT His guide said, “Bloody hell, that’s the biggest leopard seal I’ve ever seen. Time to get in the water.” Terrified but determined to get the shot, he slipped into the water—and found himself face to face with an enormous, angry looking animal who proceeded to take his head in his mouth. But then something extraordinary happened. The giant backed off, grabbed the carcass of a dead penguin, and thrust it toward him. It was, Paul Nicklen, thought, as if this ruthless predator was actually trying to feed him. He got the shot....
A Message From Our Sponsor “At BASF, our purpose, We create chemistry for a sustainable future, means we are focused on developing innovative technologies to help power, feed, move, house and improve the lives of the growing world community. In both our operations and products, we seek the best possible balance among economic, environmental and social factors; sustainable solutions for today and for the future. Just as importantly, we aim to create the human chemistry -- connections between people, organizations and institutions -that fosters a collaborative and cooperative approach to solving the world’s sustainability challenges. Toward that end, we are proud to partner with MPAC and National Geographic to present this fascinating and highly worthwhile program that helps expand our collective understanding and awareness of the world around us.” Charlene Wall-Warren Sustainability - North America BASF - The Chemical Company
Mayo Performing Arts Center Gratefully Acknowledges BASF Corporation For its Support of
PAUL NICKLEN: POLAR OBSESSION Tuesday • April 22
Through BASF Corporation’s generous support, MPAC is able to present this important program to school groups on Tuesday, April 22 at 10 am and the general public on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:30 pm.