The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents a reworking of the Dead Whale for its 2019 Earth Day Outdoor Installation beginning April 25, 2019 at the CCP Front Lawn, aimed at urging more people to talk about what can be done regarding plastic pollution.
For the CCP’s The Cry of the Dead Whale installation, a new element was added – a dead baby whale inside the belly of the dead whale. A representation of the millennials — the generation that will inherit the future of our oceans, it is both a statement and a question directed at the target audience. It aims to jumpstart discussions on whether generations to come would still get to enjoy or experience the wonders of the ocean. It wants people to ask questions such as: “Will our marine animals, particularly our whale, go extinct soon?” or “Will our grandsons and granddaughters ever get to know living sea creatures?” or “What can I do?” or “Am I ready to give up plastic?” or “Where can I start?”
A supposed ‘dead whale’ was seen on the shores of Naic, Cavite on May 11, 2017, which was in fact an art installation. What looked like a dead whale from afar was really made of plastic waste up close.
The Philippines ranks third in the list of countries with the most plastic wastes going into the oceans. To address the issue, and with a very limited budget, the strategy taken was a disruptive, monumental execution that effectively spread the message on the worsening case of plastic pollution. The sculpture was unveiled on the shores of one of the most polluted water bodies in the country — the Manila Bay.
The original Dead Whale installation in Cavite, a collaboration between a non-governmental environmental organization and Dentsu Jayme Syfu led by Creative Director Biboy Royong, was displayed for only three days and was dismantled immediately to prevent the plastic waste used from going into the ocean. Mounting the Dead Whale for a longer period of time will give more people a chance to experience what it might feel like to encounter, or be confronted by, a decomposing whale victimized by the increasing presence of plastic in our oceans.
The Cry of the Dead Whale may be viewed at the CCP Front Lawn until May 26, 2019. For more information, contact the Visual Arts and Museum Division, Production and Exhibition Department at (632) 832-1125 loc. 1504/1505 and (632) 832-3702, mobile (0917) 6033809, email ccp.exhibits@gmail.com or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
*Photo by Biboy Royong
