New Art Exhibition Draws Inspiration from Deep-Sea Experts

Creatures from the deep are the focus of an upcoming exhibition at the University of Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery.

The exhibition, called Soundings, addresses the topic of deep-sea mining and its tensions and potential impacts.

Artist Emma Critchley is behind Soundings, which features filmmaking, choreography and public engagement events.

She worked with communities and specialists, including researchers from the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, to explore our relationship with the deep ocean in order to create Soundings.

They included Jon Copley, Professor of Ocean Exploration and Science Communication at the University of Southampton.

Professor Copley , an expert in deep sea mining and ecology, said: “Emma Critchley’s work is shining an important light on something that most of us don’t get to see – the deep ocean. Commercial deep-sea mining is very much on the international political agenda, but its impact on the ecology of worlds that are invisible to us is not yet understood.

“Soundings is a powerful and striking exhibition, bringing the opportunity to encounter some of the amazing deep-sea creatures of our world and inviting discussion of humans’ relationship with the deep sea. It was a pleasure to be involved in bringing Soundings to fruition and I’m excited to see it open to the public.”

Central to the Soundings exhibition is a multi-screen film installation highlighting the tensions and possibilities surrounding deep-sea mining, using film, sound, and dance. On certain days during the exhibition, a dancer will activate the installation by moving with deep-sea creatures on the screens.

Also featured is a co-written open letter, bringing together indigenous Pacific activists, legal scholars and marine scientists on the topic of our relationship with the deep-ocean and the need to protect it.