Real Journalism by Leeds Hacks

Deep Water exhibition to take place in Leeds

People in the exhibition
Phan Ngo
Deep Water, the following stage of the Human Aquarium is coming to Leeds.

From 27th October to 3rd November 2023, the Human Aquarium team is unveiling the interactive exhibition Deep Water, which explores the impact of single-use plastics and climate change on the planet’s seas. Continuing from the 2019 Beyond the Glass show, Deep Water addresses the effects of pollution and climate change on humans, animals, and ecosystems.

plastic bottles in the ocean
Phan Ngo The message of the exhibition is to minimise plastic wasting

Zoe Parker, co-director of the display, said: “I think one of my favourite things in the exhibition might be this tank with just all of the plastic we are showing in the ocean. I think it is really hard-hitting.

“Some people have found it quite eye opening. I have been in it and we got people to make little paper boats and put their pledges in the paper boats.”

Along with the artwork, the team also organises workshops for people and children to look at the effects and importance of oceans to society. Lucy Meredith, the co-producer and mermaid of the exhibition, said: “So I have been talking to children about sea and how important it is, and about how mermaids do not like plastics in the seas. The children have agreed with me. They have all been telling me about their lovely litter picking and that they have been doing it in school.”

plastic bottles on the table
Phan Ngo The plastic sculptures around the theme of sustainability and connection to the natural world

The Human Aquarium team have been working with Rachel Rea and Anzir Boodoo from Immortal Bloom using found materials on the streets. The artists produce plastic sculptures with circularity in design to create, educate and visually communicate environmental subjects.

Rachel Rea, one of the artists, said: “I was a big firm believer that when you add value to something, you are less likely to waste it. So you have certain appreciation of what that material actually is.”

“That is 60 million years of life that has made one single plastic bottle,” she added.

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