CONTEMPLATING GLACIERS - ART EXHIBIT

Upon entering the space, you are greeted by three towering columns, each approximately two meters in height, suspended gracefully from the ceiling. These textile sculptures represent moulins—natural ice shafts found within glaciers, where meltwater carves its way from the surface to the depths below. 

Jan has transformed these glacial phenomena into a powerful visual statement using silk, a delicate yet resilient fabric that mirrors the complex interplay between nature's strength and fragility. 

Each moulin in this installation originates from a different continent—South America, North America, and Asia—embodying the global impact of climate change. The silk used for these sculptures was meticulously hand-dyed, with preliminary dyeing done at the Banff Centre. From there, Jan embarked on a journey across three continents, bringing the silks to the glaciers of Mongolia, Patagonia, and the Rockies. 

In each location, Jan performed frottage—a process of texture transfer—by laying the silk directly onto the glacier's surface. To protect the fabric from moisture, she carefully rolled the silk around a thin sheet of plastic. The textures of the ice were captured using a discharge medium, a substance similar to bleach, which she applied with a sponge. This medium removed the dye from the silk, creating a contrast that reveals the intricate, organic patterns of the glacier’s surface. 

After dabbing and pressing the medium onto the silk, the fabric was left to air dry on the ice, capturing the essence of each unique environment. The silk was then steamed on-site at the Banff Centre to set the discharge marks, washed, and allowed to dry on a large table before being rolled up for transport. 

The resulting installation is a global narrative told through textiles—each silk column a testament to the glaciers' silent yet relentless transformation. The gradient blues evoke the depth of the ice, while the frottage marks serve as a tactile record of the glaciers’ textures, connecting viewers to distant, imperiled landscapes. This work invites contemplation of our planet’s interconnectedness, with each moulin standing as a witness to the profound environmental changes occurring across continents.

Jan’s decision to focus on moulins is particularly poignant, as these structures symbolize the profound and often unseen changes occurring within our planet’s glaciers. Moulins are critical to understanding the dynamics of glacial meltwater and its contribution to rising sea levels—one of the most pressing issues of our time. By bringing these hidden structures to light, Jan raises awareness about the complexities of climate change and the fragile balance of our ecosystems.

Moulins are vertical shafts or conduits within glaciers that play a crucial role in the movement and melting of ice. These natural features form when meltwater on the glacier's surface finds a weak spot or crevasse and begins to carve a channel downward. As the water bores through the ice, it can reach depths of hundreds of meters, funnelling surface meltwater directly to the glacier’s base. This process is significant because it changes how glaciers move and melt, contributing to the acceleration of ice loss and, ultimately, the rising of global sea levels. 

The importance of moulins lies in their ability to act as direct conduits for meltwater, bypassing the gradual melting process typically associated with glaciers. When surface water reaches the base of a glacier through a moulin, it can lubricate the bedrock beneath the ice, causing the glacier to slide more rapidly forward. 

Moreover, moulins are significant because they highlight the feedback loops within the glacial system that can exacerbate global warming. As glaciers thin and retreat, more surface area is exposed to sunlight, increasing the amount of meltwater produced. This additional water then flows into moulins, further accelerating the melting process. Understanding and studying moulins are therefore essential for climate scientists, as these features offer insight into the dynamics of ice sheet stability and the potential future impacts of climate change on global sea levels. 

In the broader context of climate change, moulins serve as powerful symbols of the complex and often hidden processes driving the accelerated melting of glaciers. They remind us that the impacts of global warming are not only visible on the surface but also deep within the Earth's natural systems. By focusing attention on these structures, we can gain a better understanding of how interconnected and fragile our environment truly is, and why urgent action is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Glacial moulin formation triggered by rapid lake drainage