Belgian collective Captain Boomer beaches a plastic whale on the Seine in Paris
On July 21, 2017, a remarkable 15-meter gray whale appeared in the Seine River by Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This artistic creation, built entirely from plastic, was the work of the Belgian group Captain Boomer, presented during the Paris l'Été festival. The installation attracted significant attention and remained on display until July 30, with the approval of local authorities. Established in 2008, Captain Boomer aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, including climate change. In a related effort, Greenpeace showcased a massive plastic whale on a beach in Naic, Philippines, in May 2017 to highlight ocean pollution concerns.
Key facts
- A 15-meter, 30-ton plastic whale appeared on the Seine near Notre-Dame on July 21, 2017.
- The installation was part of the Paris l'Été festival, created by Belgian collective Captain Boomer.
- Captain Boomer was founded in Antwerp in 2008 and includes Bart Van Peel, Stijn Doggen, Karen Van Peel, Jelle Doggen, Leen Malschaert, Koos Hogeweg.
- The Whale performance series debuted in London in 2013 and has visited Valencia, Ostend, Duisburg, and Rennes (2016).
- The whale remained on the Seine until July 30, 2017, with municipal permission.
- Greenpeace created a similar plastic-waste-filled whale in Naic, Philippines, in May 2017.
- The Philippines ranks third in Asia for beach and sea pollution.
- Other eco-art projects include kennardphillipps' Arctic drilling protests and the 'Casa dei Pesci' underwater park off Talamone, Italy.
- The 'Casa dei Pesci' features marble sculptures by Emily Young, Giorgio Butini, and Massimo Catalani and bans trawling.
Entities
Artists
- Bart Van Peel
- Stijn Doggen
- Karen Van Peel
- Jelle Doggen
- Leen Malschaert
- Koos Hogeweg
- Emily Young
- Giorgio Butini
- Massimo Catalani
- kennardphillipps
Institutions
- Captain Boomer
- Paris l'Été
- Greenpeace
- Artribune
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Seine
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Antwerp
- Belgium
- London
- United Kingdom
- Valencia
- Spain
- Ostend
- Duisburg
- Germany
- Rennes
- Naic
- Philippines
- Talamone
- Italy
- Tuscany