Venture A publication that combines performance wear, design and lifestyle. Venture is something to take inspiration, ideas and concepts from. The used of thought provoking photography and colour throughout creates a strong desire, influencing us to live in that way.
MONTANE LIFE IS UNLIMITED
INTRODUCTION
Brian Black and The Arctic Pushing against the crack and roar of calving glaciers Arctic Explorer, filmmaker and sailor Brian Black’s passion for exploration, photography, and filmmaking has taken him on breakthrough expeditions across the world including the High Arctic, this summer he is about to spend his tenth season in the Arctic. Black is not afraid of a challenge, early in his career he developed skills which have enabled him to survive in the wild. In the 1970s he got used to risking his life to tell stories of war. As a foreign correspondent for the Irish broadcaster RTE he was kidnapped by the PLO. Bound by tape, thrown in the boot of a car and driven at high speed throughout Jerusalem then into Gaza, he recalls the ride was somewhat bumpy, before he was dumped at the feet of Yasser Arafat. Holding a handgun Arafat debated with Brian being granting him an exclusive interview. After this Brian continued to report from across the world, including from Northern Ireland’s bloody and bomb laden civil war. As The Troubles in Ireland eased in the early 90s his career moved from war reporting to telling stories of environment, pollution and how humanity has created climate change. It was around this time that Black a fearless sailor felt the call of the Frozen North, where he would be able to explore and report on how pollution was rapidly changing this complex wilderness. Black says, ‘Every time I go to the High Arctic I am struck by the speed of change — the way the glaciers are melting, the pack ice vanishing, the animals, especially polar bears, finding it increasingly difficult to get food.’ In 2009 he lead the expedition through the pack ice, which had peaks that rose almost vertically from the sea until they blocked the sunlight, in his 36ft sketch to the uncharted fjords of the High Arctic.
It was on this expedition that Black was to make history as the first person to circumnavigate, ‘Warming Island’, the first island in the world created by global warming. The objective was to reach and explore the island, but the ice which is melting so rapidly gave Brian the opportunity to sail around it. This circumnavigation lead to Brian being given the honour of becoming a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
escaped death when he fell into the ice laden waters of the Arctic Sea.
Brian’s voyages cover thousands of miles and last for many months. During this time he has spent time with the native people of the Arctic. Peoples who’s lifestyles have moved from a nomadic, self-sufficient traditional way of life developed over centuries, to a settled ordered lifestyle. This dramatic change in such a short space In the majority of the world as sea levels rise of time has resulted in an epidemic of suicide land disappears but in the High Arctic as glaciers among the Inuit people. melt and the ice retreat at a rate of twice that of ten years ago, land is exposed. ‘High Soul of the Arctic’ was the name of a docThe melting ice reveals earth that has umentary Brian made about a Church of Ireland remained hidden for some 10,000 years since Minister from Northern Ireland, who has just bethe last ice age held the planet in a frozen vice. come Bishop of the Arctic. The Bishop will be Black is known for shouldering the camera based in the capital of the eastern Arctic terriequipment and documenting epic stories no tory, Iqaluit, and from there he will move around matter what it takes; at times, this has meant on skidoos and in twin engine aircraft to minister enduring death-defying situations. Frostbite to the fifty thousand Anglicans that make up claimed the feeling in one of his hands after he the Diocese of the Arctic. The documentary
examines the wide ranging problems facing the region, ranging from climate change and melting glaciers to the social and spiritual challenges of suicide, alcoholism and domestic violence, drug abuse and anti-social behaviour. Black believes in sharing stories that inspire people, highlight the infinite human spirit, and open people’s eyes to a different world.
Brian has been profiled in numerous publications and received countless awards for his work. Haunted by the call of the wild and this untamable, dramatic and challenging part of the world, and a desire to explore and tell stories Black’s next voyage to inside the Arctic Circle leaves at the end of May of 2015. Naomi Cahill (15/04/15)
Hinterlands The mountains are calling and you must seek them. Untouched space that will test you mentally and physically pushing yourself to the limits to seek that place that only a few have been before.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.�
-Lao Tzu
Yearning Stripping back the layers and trying to get in touch with the simple things in life, switching off and exploring the great outdoors that leads to the path unknown.
Knead Merging together two opposites to create a balance. The colours of nature that can blend into a urban surrounding. Aimmed at the observant individual that wants the best of both.
It’s a big world, go explore it.
“There are far, better things ahead than any we leave behind.� -C.S.Lewis