Antarctica: The First Dance

Corey Baker: “It’s an immense privilege and mind-blowing experience to create and film a dance on Antarctica that I hope will bring people a little closer to understanding this unfathomable place."

"As an individual, I aim to take conscious steps to help mitigate climate change, and wanted to inspire others to do the same."

"I wanted to highlight Antarctica’s epic landscape and vast beauty, but at the same time show that it is under threat – climate change impact is real and immediate."

Corey and Madeleine flew to Antarctica in February, one of its warmest months, to spend about two weeks with scientists and researchers at the 86-bed Scott Base.

The project was part of Antarctica NZ's Community Engagement Programme designed to catch the public imagination and get us learning and understanding more about Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Since the late 1950s, a number of journalists, photographers, film-makers and artists have travelled to the ice on what is known as the Media, Artists and Writers Programme. 

Madeleine Graham: "It's one of those things that you never imagine you'll do, to make the first dance there will be pretty special. It will be an awesome experience like no other."

Conditions would push the duo to their limits. Outdoor clothing manufacturers Earth Sea Sky made thermal activewear for Madeline to dance in – flexible but warm.

"Dancing in the snow was difficult, unpredictable – we sometimes suddenly found ourselves in a metre of snow! The cold was a challenge on an hourly basis."

Corey: "It was very hard and strenuous on Maddy, as she wasn’t able to rehearse and refine. Everything was going against us – Maddy had never been in snow, camping, in a film, or in a dorm room."

"It’s the opposite of what a dancer needs to thrive: no sleep, 24-hour light, unstable ground and it was obviously very cold outside."

"Antarctica was the director: it would tell you it’s too windy, too bright, or too cold. We had to listen and respond to that."