The Legacy project: a whale of an idea

June 13, 2013 · 0 Comments

What better way to bring attention to promoting environmental responsibility than to construct an exact wooden skeletal replica of a Killer Whale, named Hope. Featured at the Dufferin County Museum & Archives from June to September, this 25 foot long skeleton constructed by reclaimed cedar, suspended from the ceiling is a sight to behold.

Perhaps some have never questioned the impact of environmental exploitation and it is Artist, Ken Hall’s hope to help people realize what a fragile and interconnected ecosystem we live in. Revealing Hope’s story may shed some light on the impact industry may have on wildlife and humans alike.

Hope’s body was found, stranded off the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in 2002. Already known to Scientists as a member of a transient orca pod, they identified the whale as CA189. Close by, a young male, CA 188, believed to be Hope’s son, wouldn’t leave and in the face of dying, scientists struggled until eventually succeeding to entice the young whale back out to sea to safety. When brought to autopsy, it was discovered Hope’s body carried one of the highest loads of toxic chemicals, PCB’s and DDT ever recorded in a marine mammal.

But what does any of this have to do with humans? Ken Hall explains that logging in British Columbia hurts the whale population via pollution indirectly poisoning rivers where salmon spawning occurs,further contaminating the growingly reduced diet whales can consume. Whales have become an indicator species reminding us that we risk our own futures as well as theirs. Many humans consume fish, and just what levels of PCB’s and DDT’s are we comfortable with ingesting?

Hall is an admirer the whale species. “Hope was given her name by the local children who found her in 2002. I love whales and see them as Universal Ambassadors,” said Hall.

Two years ago Hall had a vision. “I wanted to work with a large piece that had a large presence to it.” Being a 3-D Art Director and Computer Games Director, once inspired by Hope’s story, he began his labor of love. The Idaho Virtualization Laboratory created the 3-D scans Hall needed to complete his vision. Hall explained, “I will be taking the project across Canada to raise awareness about environmental issues. Even the gravel quarries are areas of concern.”

Over two years and over 160 bones later, this visual masterpiece is a beautiful, and grim reminder of the magnificent beast CA 189, who once swam along- side her son, CA188.

Artist Ken Hall’s Legacy Project was created with the intention to inspire future generations to act with wisdom. We can only, ‘Hope’.

Visit the project website for more information at www.kenhallart/LegacyProject

By Alex Sher