When a whale settles down on the ocean floor after death, it becomes a vital source of sustenance for thousands of organisms. These “whale falls” are like oases in the abyssal waters, attracting and sustaining life just like a watering hole in the Sahara. They offer renewal in the depths of the ocean.
A similar sense of renewal and hope arose when a whale was washed up on the shore. In the past such whale beachings were seen as a lifeline for coastal communities, and people would gather to harvest the whale and use it in versatile ways. This is an example of sustainable use of whales as a resource, and an important part of local cultures and tradition.
This exhibition explores the significance of beached whales in Icelandic culture and the enduring memory of this practice through the meaning of the word “hvalreki.”
