A stunning new visualisation of the Hull Maritime Museum’s 40ft north Atlantic right whale skeleton has been created.
A 3D laser scanning of the huge animal’s remains has been created by leading contemporary artists Heinrich and Palmer.
And now the 110-year-old skeleton of a young female right whale, which was about two years old and not fully grown, will be reanimated as part of Hull City Council’s multi-million pound investment to bring the city’s rich and powerful maritime story to life.
The Lumen Prize-nominated artists behind the Ship of the Gods at Hull Minster, part of Absolutely Cultured’s Urban Legends and Northern Lights, have captured data from the scans, along with additional scans of the collection, which will be used to create two new bodies of work.
Whale skeletons in the Hull Maritime Museum before its refurb began.
The first is a digital film to be shown when the refurbished museum reopens, while the second is a series of stone waymarkers to connect the routes leading from the museum, through Queens Gardens and on to the North End Ship Yard and the Spurn Lightship.
With just 400 north Atlantic right whales estimated to be left in the world, it is hoped the exhibit will raise awareness of conservation challenges facing the species.
Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said: “This is a unique and rare opportunity to create artwork to tell the city’s rich maritime story.
“Working as part of the wider team with lead consultants Purcell Architects, Southern Green Landscape Architects and Exhibition designers Haley Sharpe Design, the chosen artists has been tasked with creating public art commissions in unexpected and different ways that gives a voice to the city’s maritime past, present and future.
“This work aims to unlock the full potential of the city’s maritime story and benefit those that work, live and visit the area.”
