Immerse yourself to the depths of the ocean as Winchester Cathedral’s nave is transformed to home three whale sculptures.
Oxfordshire based artist Tessa Campbell Fraser has created three monumental sculptures of sperm whales (ranging from 3m to 5.2m) for Winchester Cathedral. The whales hang from the iconic nave ceiling. With one of the largest nave’s in Europe, the art installation will seek to unravel the interspecies communications between man and animal that are currently at the forefront of scientific research. The nave’s wooden roof beams were often compared to the timbers of an upside-down ship, which were associated with the industrial scale whaling which reduced sperm whale numbers to critical levels during the Industrial Revolution.
Throughout history, the cathedral has also played host to numerous Kings and Queens, including William the Conqueror, Mary Tudor and Prince Philip of Spain. The whales exhibition aims to highlight the impact humans have on the environment. The month-long exhibition will also host events for the public including silent discos, date night events, concerts and immersive sound experiences.
"Whales are the giants of our oceans that play extraordinary roles in shaping the world's ecosystems and cultures, and even legal landscapes research continues to reveal fascinating insights into the significance of these majestic creatures,” said institute director, professor Damon Teagle in a BBC news article.
The installation will run until 26 February and events featuring the installation will include a folk concert by The Norfolk Broads, a talk by biologist and filmmaker Tom Mustill on animal communication and a talk with artist Tessa Campbell Fraser. The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute at University of Southampton is supporting the installation.
For more information about the exhibition visit: https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/whales/
