Frozen Man Festival / Heard & McDonald Islands
A sanctuary gathering of thirty-three
creators, researchers & musicians at the rim of the roaring Forties
1 Essence
Frozen Man is an ultra-selective, invitation-only retreat inspired by the radical self-expression of Burning Man yet forged in polar silence…
2 Why the Edge?
Total reset. No tourist infrastructure, no permanent residents…
Planetary responsibility. Heard & McDonald Islands are among the least-disturbed ecosystems on Earth…
3 The Six Silent Zones
- Tri-Point Camp — hexayurt ring for sleeping…
- Vanishing Stage — collapsible snow-dome…
- Volcanic Lab — pop-up hut on the moraine…
- White Mirror — ice-carved amphitheatre…
- Pilot Field — kite-borne photovoltaic art…
- Seal-Watch Bluff — two-person observation deck…
4 Curation & Selection
Participants are nominated in concentric waves:
- Core Resonance (12 slots) — artists…
- Edge Catalysts (9 slots) — scientists…
- Quiet Witnesses (6 slots) — poets…
- House Stewards (6 slots) — logistics crew…
note • No passive spectators; every invitee carries a project that closes with a zero-trace outcome.
5 Logistics Snapshot
Arrival
• Ice-class charter from Hobart…
Accommodation
• Hexayurts & heated research pods…
Permits
• Issued by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)…
Emergency
• Field hospital tent + med-evac insurance…
6 Daily Flow (outline)
| 06:30 | Aurora silence walk |
| 08:00 | Solar-snow tea / morning data log |
| 10:00 | Collaborative builds & rehearsals |
| 14:30 | Micro-talks in White Mirror |
| 17:00 | Wildlife-watch / sketching round |
| 20:00 | Vanishing Stage performances |
| 22:30 | Night-sky data capture / dream log |
7 Environmental Covenant
- Leave No Trace × ² — remove and audit every import…
- Leave Life Stronger — fund AAD marine-mammal research…
- Leave Wisdom Shared — publish open-access field logs…
8 FAQ
Q · Can spectators attend?
No. Frozen Man is a closed-loop convocation…
Q · Connectivity?
Low-bandwidth texting only…
Q · Safety?
Two polar-guides, wilderness doctor…
9 Next Steps
Draft applications open 1 Sept 2026. Final roster announced mid-December, pending AAD & UNESCO clearance.
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