A lifelike audiovisual installation of a mighty Bowhead whale, highlighting Hull’s whaling heritage at the Maritime Museum will start next month as part of the 2017 UK City of Culture Made in Hull programme.
Music students from the University of Hull have teamed up with students at Hull School of Art and Design, working with the Maritime Museum to bring the installation to life, offering an insight into the Greenland Right Whale, the species that was the focus of the Hull’s whaling industry.
From Monday 2 January 2017 visitors will be able to get up close with a full sized Bowhead whale, in this intimate cinematic encounter accompanied by a changing soundtrack specially composed to accompany the film.
The vast interpretation was deliberately designed to scale so audiences can see and appreciate the enormous size of the Bowhead, which can grow up to 110 tonnes. The Bowhead whale is the longest living mammal on earth and can live for up to 200 years, meaning that there are whales around now that would have been alive at the time of Queen Victoria.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Limited, said:
“This is an exciting exhibition composed by local students in partnership with the museum; it is fantastic our next generation of animators have been part of such a major project.
“The free exhibition celebrates how the Bowhead played a significant part in Hull’s maritime past and at one point the city was home to the largest whaling fleet in the UK.
“I am sure this installation is going to be hugely popular and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the museum.”
Louise Dempsey, studying at Hull School Art and Design, said:
“It was an honour to be offered the chance to not only take part in the City of Culture celebrations but also to be able to showcase new found 3D and digital animation skills.
“It’s definitely been a challenge for me both regarding upgrading my skill sets and the pressure regarding time management to meet client deadlines. But the support from HSAD Games lecturer, Paul Starkey has been amazing. Helping me through some difficult digital processes as part of the project research and technical development.”
George Marshall, studying a PhD in Composition at the University of Hull, said:
“It has been a fantastic opportunity and challenge, composing for animated film and being a part of Hull 2017 proceedings. Additionally, collaborating with students within the University, with regards to performance and production, Hull School of Art and Design and Hull Maritime Museum has been excellent and I hope museum visitors will enjoy the Bowhead exhibition.”
Sarah Dew, studying MMus in Composition at the University of Hull, said:
“It’s been wonderful composing music to enhance the beautiful bowhead whale film. Hopefully the whole project will remind the public that we share our planet with truly precious, graceful and awesome creatures, who need our protection.”
Adam Courtney, studying BA Creative Music Technology at the University of Hull, said:
“The project was something totally different to what I’ve worked on in the past, as I was given complete freedom in the direction I wanted to take the music. When I first watched the whale swimming around on its own, it just looked really isolated, sat in this environment by itself, so I took the route of something quite dark, with flickers of gentle melody creeping through here and there. I wanted there to be a lot of layers and detail to the music, and for the music to emphasise what was on-screen as well as the unsettling lonely atmosphere I wanted to give people watching.
“Thank you to Rob Mackay and Helen Mitchell from University of Hull for their extensive help, suggestions, and guidance throughout the project, Hull Maritime Museum for the opportunity, Hull College of Art and Design for their excellent work bringing the Bowheads to life, and also to Nadira Hendarta for her suggestions and encouragement.”
The installation will run until 19 March 2017 and is free to enter. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 7.30pm, Sunday 11am – 4.30pm. The museum will close at 4pm from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 January.
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