Antarctica: The Invisible World

Story

Penguins on Antarctic ice — Photo: sevenseassailing

Hi, I’m Michael Grindstaff — a sailor, explorer, and artist with a lifelong fascination for the hidden worlds around us. Through photomicrography, I reveal life too small to see with the naked eye by creating focus‑stacked mosaics — intricate artworks built from hundreds of images. The result is a level of detail and beauty no human eye could ever see directly.

Now, I have the chance to bring this process to Antarctica in December 2025, one of the most extreme and inspiring environments on Earth. Beneath the ice lies a hidden universe of plankton and other organisms that form the foundation of the polar ecosystem. With your support, I can capture this unseen world and bring it back to share — as art, photography, and film.

Aboard the private, custom‑built 45′ sailing yacht Iona, captained by polar explorer and friend John Verbeck, we will depart Tierra del Fuego and cross the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula. John has made this trip on two previous occasions. I will serve as crew, artist, and scientist.

What We Need & What You Get

To make this expedition possible, I need about $6,000 in funding. Here’s where it goes:

Essential Antarctic gear: A dry suit for diving, specialized cold‑water dive gear, a sailing suit for harsh weather, insulated layers, and technical clothing.
Microscopy equipment: A new microscope camera and objectives to capture high‑resolution images and video.
Field‑ready power system: A custom Pelican‑case setup with batteries, DC converters, and lighting to run the microscope and laptop in remote conditions.
Expedition contribution: Supporting overall costs of joining the voyage.

Backer perks include digital downloads, signed archival prints, behind‑the‑scenes updates, your name in the film credits, and private screenings/talks after the expedition.

Contribute on Indiegogo

The Impact

Antarctic micro world impact — Photo: Riccarelli

This project combines science, art, and exploration. By revealing the unseen beauty of microscopic life, I want to spark curiosity and deepen our connection to the natural world.

Help capture and share imagery of Antarctic life that has never been seen this way before.
Provide educational material for schools, aquariums, and museums.
Create art that celebrates the wonder of nature and brings the invisible into focus.

I’ve been refining these techniques for years, building large‑scale focus‑stacked mosaics of marine life. This expedition brings the process to the edge of the Earth.

Risks & Challenges

Iceberg in Antarctic waters — Photo: astize

Antarctica is one of the harshest environments on the planet. The risks include extreme weather, equipment failure, and the challenges of working at sea.

What qualifies me to meet these challenges?

I live and sail on my own yacht, preparing me for life on the water.
Years of microscopy experience and the technical skills to build and troubleshoot my own systems.
I thrive on adapting, problem‑solving, and making things work in difficult conditions.

I can’t eliminate the risks — but I have the skills and determination to overcome them.