Description

“Royal Run”

My works which draws on the collective imagination, are open to interpretation. The vibrant colours as well as renaissance  painting technique, add to the experience of visual puns, details and optical illusions. If you look closely, there are some esthetic transformations taking place, which all refer to an environmental issue of sorts.

Million of years ago, the frozen continent of Antartica was a subtropical rain forest. The stark contrast between the climate then and now, all boils down to high levels of CO2 (i.e. 4 times higher than our present levels). It ensured mild weather even through the months of the year without sunlight. Scientists, are trying to establish why exactly there was such an extreme change in climate to what we experience today.

The race to Antartica
The first and most famous race to reach the middle of pole, was between Scott and Amundsen. Amundsen, and his norwegian team, won by reaching Antartica on december the 14th 1011, 34 days ahead of his British rival.

The other race 
Global warming is imposing great problems on the resident penguins on Antartica. When the temperatures rise, the ice is melting and literally cracks under the feet of the penguins. Up until now, the penguins have adapted well to the rather hostile conditions and cold weather. But right now they are more challenged by global warming.

Here you will notice king penguins in a race against time and the (re)emerging rain forest.

Claus Larsen, 2020