To spur on discussions of the whaling industry and declining whale populations, artist Tristin Lowe created a life-sized whale to be shown at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, PA. What’s even more interesting than creating a life-sized whale (though, that’s pretty good) is that he created it out of pieces of felt.
‘Mocha Dick,’ inspired by Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’ is made of 9,000 square feet of felt. The design includes hand-sewn barnacles and measures 52-feet in length. Though, he’s sure to note, while Mocha may looked beached, he definitely isn’t.
Life-Sized Felt Whales
Tristin Lowe Sparks Whaling Talks with Giant Fabric Albino Whale
Trend Themes
1. Whaling Conservation - Opportunity to develop innovative solutions to address declining whale populations and reduce the whaling industry's impact on marine ecosystems.
2. Sustainable Art Materials - Potential for disruptive innovation in the art industry by creating eco-friendly materials for large-scale art installations, such as using felt instead of traditional materials.
3. Art as Awareness Catalyst - Artists can leverage their work to spark discussions and raise awareness about pressing environmental issues, like the decline of whale populations.
Industry Implications
1. Conservation Organizations - Opportunity for conservation organizations to collaborate with artists and use art installations as a medium to educate the public about the importance of whale conservation.
2. Textile Industry - Potential for the textile industry to explore new sustainable materials and techniques for creating large-scale fabric installations, opening up new markets and applications.
3. Museum and Gallery Sector - Museums and galleries can embrace socially impactful art installations, increasing visitor engagement and fostering meaningful dialogues about environmental issues.