'We are the Ocean': Immersive exhibition in Delhi explores marine life and pollution
A subject as vast as the ocean calls for an experience just as immersive, like the one currently underway at Alliance Française, New Delhi. Earlier this month, it launched its ocean-themed 'Festival of Ideas: We are the Ocean'. Running until May 25, it features a multitude of displays and activities, such as interactive art installations, film screenings and panel discussions, among others.
As you enter the premises, you are greeted by a wall of waves, a giant installation that immediately sets the tone as you enter the world of the ocean. From there, you descend into the Romain Rolland Gallery, where a deeply immersive exhibit awaits, exploring the ocean’s environmental, societal, and emotional significance.
By immersive, many mean technological add-ons. However, this exhibition brings forth a different interpretation of an immersive experience, showcasing elements that visitors can interact with.
The outdoor patio in front of the gallery has a striking pollution-laced ocean installation, juxtaposed with another one depicting a clean ocean, bringing forth 'What is' and 'What could and should be'. You then immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the ocean with a percussion instrument that you play.
As you enter the gallery, there is much to see. On your left, there's a cozy reading space with Amitav Ghosh's latest anthology, 'Wild Fictions: Essays', which sports beautiful waves on its cover, instantly catching your eyes. Right beside that is an installation where soundscapes are used to create imagery of the ocean waves, making for a soothing experience.
Through a virtual reality (VR) experience, you dive into the Mediterranean Sea and explore the stunning landscape of a deep-sea canyon, introducing you to the beauty and secrets of the fragile underwater world. You also get to see an immersive film on the world of plankton.
While these introduce you to the world of the ocean, there are also installations that showcase present realities. Once you finish your dive into the Mediterranean and remove your VR headsets, you come across large pictures of climate refugees and those having been directly impacted by climate catastrophes involving the water. There are also juxtaposed picture displays of the world's water bodies in their healthy states and those deeply polluted, bringing forth the harsh reality of water pollution today.
The exhibition truly has something for everyone: even kids have a wide selection of engaging content to choose from, such as 3-D picture books, colouring books, and block printing, introducing the children of Delhi to underwater worlds.
There are also film screenings and panel discussions, making it appealing to climate and culture enthusiasts alike.
“With 'The Festival of Ideas - We Are the Ocean', France reaffirms its commitment to making the ocean a shared global resource and a driver of Indo-French cooperation," said Damien Syed, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of France in India, in a press note.
"Bringing together experts, artists, and citizens, 'We Are the Ocean' adopts a truly multidisciplinary approach to raise awareness about and work towards ocean action in the run-up to UNOC3," Syed added.
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference, or UNOC3 for short, is due to be held in June, with France being the host country.
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