Belgian photographer and explorer Christian Clauwers cannot stop talking about our natural world. His fascination with the least studied corners of the planet resulted in an impressive book about the hidden caves in the Arctic.
Originally planned as a 192-page publication, Frozen Heritage grew into a whopping 400-page tome. It is a visual and substantive statement about the impact of climate change and the importance of cultural and agricultural heritage.
Hidden deep within the ice, three mysterious vaults hold our future: the Fröyhall vault, the world-famous Svalbard Global Seed Vault and the Arctic World Archive. They protect genetic and cultural heritage from the unpredictable fate of our planet. Clauwers captured these hidden treasures and brings them closer than ever with Frozen Heritage.
Christian Clauwers traversed the frozen landscapes to document these mysterious locations. Although they remain inaccessible to most people, he brings them eerily close through Frozen Heritage. His images and stories confront the reader with the fragility of our planet and the urgency to take action.
Anyone leafing through this book can almost feel the icy wind and is drawn into the haunting silence of the polar regions. Before you know it, you’re already on page 100, captivated by the moving texts presented in three languages — English, French and Dutch. Frozen Heritage amplifies the urgency of the powerful call that stirs the reader awake: our planet is ill, and we are running behind schedule to save her.
Clauwers’ message was elevated by the thoughtful design of graphic designer Tina De Souter: “The book wasn’t meant to be just another publication, but an object you hold in your hands — one that leaves a lasting impression.” Her creative process began with the cover: a square at the centre, symbolising the hidden vaults within the ice. This sense of enclosure and protection runs like a thread through the entire design.
Inside, contrasting paper types play with light and darkness. The introductory texts were printed in three passes of white ink on deep black paper, with a square in the centre of each text block subtly referring to the concealed vaults. In stark contrast, the photographic pages were printed on pristine white Arctic Paper — a choice whose name, of course, could not be more fitting.
The cover quite literally feels like footsteps in fresh, crunching snow. The pronounced debossing in the white Suede material creates a tactile experience that immediately evokes the polar landscape. Combined with the black-and-white contrasts of the interior, Frozen Heritage becomes a truly sensory experience.
Tina: “Creating Frozen Heritage was a process of experimentation, taking risks, and endless fine-tuning. Late nights and intense collaboration with Buroform and the bookbinders ultimately resulted in an object that perfectly captures the essence of the Arctic vaults: a book that defies time and carries a message of awareness.”
More than a photo book, more than a report: Frozen Heritage is a call to protect our collective heritage and to confront the impact of climate change.
At Buroform, we elevate luxury book production to a higher level by combining craftsmanship, innovative printing techniques, and refined material choices. For Frozen Heritage, we worked closely with designer Tina De Souter and photographer Christian Clauwers to create a unique, sensory book object. Thanks to our expertise in techniques such as debossing, white ink on black paper, and the use of premium materials like Arctic Paper, we offer bespoke solutions for every client aiming to produce an exclusive book edition.
Whether it’s an art book, a corporate publication or a limited edition release, we guide your project from concept to flawless finish. Discover more about our premium print capabilities, our expertise in custom book production, and inspiring realisations where design and print come together seamlessly.
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