ORCAS

Curators: Drs. Gavin Hanke, Lorne Hammond, Martha Black, India Young and Victoria Arbour Execution and Production: Museumspartner Exhibition Design: Rocamora Diseño y Arquitectura Project Photography: Royal BC Museum

The exhibition ORCAS: Our Shared Future offers a unique immersive experience that transports visitors into the fascinating world of killer whales. Designed as an international, temporary installation, this traveling exhibit stands out for its multi-sensory approach, combining life-size sculptures of these impressive marine mammals, ambient lighting and surround sound to create an experience that surpasses conventional exhibits.

In the exhibition, visitors explore the world of killer whales from various perspectives. The first section delves into their biology and zoology, revealing details about their anatomy, behavior, intelligence and complex social structure. Through this view, attendees can appreciate the extraordinary biology of these majestic creatures.

In another approach, the representation of killer whales in popular culture and indigenous beliefs is examined, providing new perspectives on these animals, which have historically been feared in Western cultures as “killer whales”.

Finally, the exhibition addresses the reality of the life of orcas in captivity and the struggle for their liberation, highlighting problems such as captivity in aquariums and illegal hunting. This aspect promotes awareness of orca conservation and welfare.

Tactile models and dioramas, various life-size sculptures, audiovisuals, interactives, and the surrounding design of the entire tour make for a visit that combines pedagogy and reflection, turning the museum space into a space of social responsibility and environmental commitment.