Jesús María Lazkano's Exhibition 'Natura Fugit' Explores Glacial Change Through Art

The Museo Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona is presenting 'Natura fugit,' an exhibition by artist Jesús María Lazkano, curated by Valentín Vallhonrat and Ignacio Miguéliz, from March 17 to August 16, 2026. The show centers on a 20-minute animated film that serves as Lazkano's artistic response to Caspar David Friedrich's 1824 painting 'Región de alta montaña,' which depicted the Mer de Glace glacier near Chamonix. Friedrich's work, now lost, was based on a drawing by his friend, physician Carl Gustav Carus, who visited the site in 1823. Lazkano's project investigates the passage of time and climate change's impact on glacial landscapes, drawing inspiration from historical artworks, photographs by figures like Adolphe Braun, and scientific research, including insights from glaciologist Eñaut Izagirre. The exhibition displays the film alongside preparatory materials such as sketches, storyboards, and notebooks, revealing the creative process. Lazkano, known for landscapes featuring abandoned industrial structures without human figures, visited the Mer de Glace in the 1980s and notes the glacier has receded significantly, losing over 100 meters in height since Friedrich's era. The exhibition highlights how art and film can convey environmental messages about sustainability, connecting artistic traditions from Friedrich and other historical figures like J.M.W. Turner to contemporary ecological concerns.