Marie Weichman, an art professor at Olympic College, Bremerton, had watched whales during her visit to Hawaii. She was inspired to create an art piece symbolizing the bond that humans share with marine life.
Marie teamed up with some students at the Olympic College to create a socio-political art piece. Moved by the deaths of whales due to garbage, Marie and her students sculpted a giant whale, solely made of recycled materials.
Message of the environment-sensitive art piece
The guiding philosophy of the project is to create awareness amongst the public on the hazards of plastic over marine environment. It also aims to popularize public art and offer students with a practical opportunity to create an eco-sensitive product.
The life-sized whale was exhibited at the campus of Olympic College. The whale gives an artistic expression to the rising issue of whale deaths.
Eco friendly promotional items at Olympic College’s Gallery
The project commenced in summer with a volunteer and four students studying independently. The raw-materials for the life sized whale ranged from welded steel, fencing material, reusable bags and other discarded trinkets.
Al Kitchens, a welding professor gave welding directions to the student, Shan Beckstead, Ron Raty from the Manufacturing department pitched in to provide the CAD [Computer Aided Designs].
The students of art; Max Greene, Theresa Helton, Justine McNeal and Jennifer Lynch then transported parts of the whale’s skeleton to the art gallery where the pieces where put together as a unit. Charlie Gore, an assistant at the gallery volunteered to weave plastic bags as a fencing material. The material when attached to the welded steel of the whale’s skeleton, served as the whale’s skin.
Apart from housing the whale, the gallery was decked to represent the marine environment. Special lights and sound effects were installed to create the illusion of a world beneath the sea. Wall of the gallery were painted in ocean blue to enhance the artist’s expression of marine life.
Garbage was also strewn around to awaken people to the evils of polluting the marine environment. CAD designs were also displayed. After the completion of the project, the art piece was displayed for public viewing at the Gallery at Olympic College. The show depicting the bond that humans share with marine life began on Oct 4.
A blog that documents the inspiration behind the efforts and the process of construction has been created and can be accessed at ocartgallery.wordpress.com.
Source:http://www.northkitsapherald.com/community/170729836.html
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