We are excited to announce that from November this year, AE Expeditions will host a floating exhibition of Frank Hurley’s iconic Antarctic images aboard Polar Pioneer to commemorate the centenaries of the 1914-17 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
The floating exhibition, which has been developed in conjunction with the State Library of New South Wales, has been curated by Alasdair McGregor, world authority on Frank Hurley and author of Frank Hurley: A Photographers Life. Alasdair is also a valued member of our expedition team and will be travelling with us as aboard next year’s ‘The Shackleton Spirit’ voyage.
The story of Shackleton’s ill-fated journey exemplifies the strength of human spirit and one man’s determination to succeed against all odds. Under treacherous conditions, Shackleton’s perilous journey and the subsequent rescue of all of his men remains one of the most heroic stories of all time. However, it is through the photographic skills of Frank Hurley, the only Australian member of the expedition that much of what the men endured has been visually brought to life.
The exhibition is part of a greater program of Shackleton commemorative events and activites, that will pay tribute to Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men. Over the next two years nine historical voyages will allow passengers to retrace much of Shackleton’s journey including visits to key historical points, presentations by expert historians, a commemorative dinner and the opportunity to raise a toast to ‘The Boss’ at Shackleton’s grave.
Embracing the true spirit of exploration, passengers will even have the chance to re-enact the ‘Shackleton Walk’, the final leg of Shackleton’s epic trek from Fortuna Bay to Stromness Whaling Station. Experienced mountaineers aboard ‘In Shackleton’s Footsteps’ will attempt a three-day alpine crossing, retracing the grueling 36-hour trek made by Shackleton, Frank Worsley and Tom Crean, who crossed the rugged, glaciated interior of South Georgia after their 17-day open boat epic across the Scotia Sea.
The floating exhibition of Frank Hurley’s Antarctic images will be on display on board AE Expeditions’ expedition ship, Polar Pioneer, from November 2014 until March 2016.
Read the story of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition here or view the timeline here.
