The Experience

The Whale covers everything about whales: their evolution, biology, behavior, communication, and habitats. Through the exhibitions, we also explore the deeper theme of humanity’s relationship with whales. How are we connected to them through evolution? How have we valued, worshipped, hunted, and persecuted them? How are they depicted in literature, and how do we study them?

Storyline

Welcome area

In the welcome area, guests are quickly informed about The Whale's various possibilities. It's visually inspiring and the atmosphere is captivating. Already they get a glimpse of the exhibition and what awaits them, but without it getting in the way of practical things like ticket purchase, bathroom visit and finding a secure place for bags and clothing in the cloakrooms.

Meet the family

For many people, the first encounter with a whale is a powerful experience. Whales are mammals, like us. In them, we see traits and behaviors that remind us of ourselves—how we care for our young, communicate, interact with others, play, learn, and remember. It is precisely this first encounter and the realisation of what we have in common with whales that is the centre of this part of the exhibition.

From land to sea

From the vast central hall, the guests now move towards the next area. Here the evolution and diversity of whales is told in a straightforward and humorous way.

Under the skin

The guests are now moving into a dense and wonderous aesthetic world - away from the large hall with daylight and into the next thematic pocket. The entire room is made up of softly curved and organic shapes. Are you inside a whale? A beautiful and sensuous experience, but also a place that embraces multiple layers of knowledge that you can spend hours being absorbed by it.

Below the surface

The sea is the recurring theme in Below the surface. Here guests enter the world of whales, the oceans, the coast, the sea surface and the deep sea. Already at the entrance, guests notice that they are going below the surface as lighting and sound changes. From light and plankton to fish and squid, the ocean is one big living production mechanism. The guests experience how the whales' food is created in a cyclical connection between nutrients and light at the surface, and how the whales release the same nutrients back into the cycle again when they die and decompose.

Soundscape

Here guests can experience whale songs in a contemplative setting. The room feels almost ceremonial and will be a place where guests can lean back and relax. Upon entrance there are many people in the room, but it is quiet, everyone is waiting for what will happen. Soon after, the first notes are heard deep and melodic whale sounds.

Library of Relations

When guests enter the Library of Relations, they immediately notice that the atmosphere here is different from the previous exhibition sections. The scenography in the room envelops them, drawing them into the stories being told. This is a sensory and visual journey through humanity's various relationships with whales—a scene that brings individual human voices to the forefront, presenting narratives of whales and humans across time, cultural differences, survival needs, greed, playful curiosity, determined activism, and scientific endeavors

«The Whale stands out as the most important project I know of right now, not only for everything it represents but also because of how it is being carried out.»

Phillip Tefft
Director Emeritus for Ralph Appelbaum Associates, London

The Oceans: A large installation offers surprising insights into the world of whales. An ocean-focused map, with the continents on the periphery and the oceans at the center, illustrates how the seas are interconnected and cover vast portions of the planet. Drawing by Lars Holm.

Horizons

After the immersive experinces in the previous two rooms, guests now disperse into the thematic area called the Horizons. Daylight returns, along with a view of the sea. This area, situated near the long, curved row of windows, provides the ideal spot for resting and reflecting on all the impressions. In this interlude, before visiting the shop and café, guests can gain a perspective on global issues surrounding human-whale coexistence, our impact on the ocean environment, and a direct connection to the world of whales just outside.

Art and science in The Whale

Exhibitions that invite you to linger – to play, reflect, laugh, meditate, and share. Exhibitions that surprise and captivate. Spaces where you can have fun and be playful, and places where you can simply sit back and relax for a while

The exhibitions in The Whale fuses art and since allowing the visitors to experience the awe of nature through both intellectual and emotional lenses.

The Whale will be a positive, joyful, and celebratory space, balancing the gravity of issues like climate change, pollution, conflicts with fisheries, and whaling with an uplifting and light-hearted atmosphere. It will invite visitors to engage with these serious topics while maintaining a sense of hope and vitality.

As an art advisor and to develop The Whale’s art strategy, we have enlisted the expertise of Anne Beate Hovind. With over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of art, culture, and urban development, Anne Beate has led the realization of both temporary and permanent site-specific works. Her portfolio includes ambitious, large-scale, and impactful art projects in buildings and public spaces, such as Future Library by Scottish artist Katie Paterson and the establishment of Kunsthall Oslo.

Concept and storyline for the exhibitions in The Whale

The concept and the storyline for the exhibition been developed by an expert team.

Hanne Strager

Head of Experience and Content

hs@thewhale.no

Hanne Strager is a museum developer with more than 25 years of experience in master planning, content development, and exhibition production. She has led exhibitions at the Natural History Museum of Denmark and has extensive expertise in strategic leadership and project execution. Hanne holds an M.Sc. in Biology from Aarhus University, specializing in killer whale vocalizations, and was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz. A seasoned science communicator and author, she has developed numerous exhibitions and projects for museums, national parks, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Hanne excels at creating engaging and informative storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Joakim Engel

Project Manager, Experience and Content

je@thewhale.no

Joakim Engel is an exhibition developer with over 20 years of experience in research, planning, and exhibition production. He holds an M.Sc. in Natural History Conservation and has played key roles at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, where he was responsible for exhibition production and the implementation of 3D technologies. Joakim has developed both physical and digital exhibitions for museums and private companies across several European countries. Additionally, he is a graphic designer and 3D artist, and in 2020, he authored a children's book about dinosaurs.

Catherine DeNardo

Copywriter and Content Researcher

cd@thewhale.no

Catherine DeNardo is an editor, writer, and designer specializing in science communication, with over 20 years of experience. She has served as editor for award-winning science magazines and has authored books and articles on natural history and marine species. Catherine holds an M.Sc. in Behavioral Ecology from the University of Aberdeen and has conducted research on killer whales in Norway. With a strong background in science communication, she excels at translating complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences.

Lars Holm

Lars Holm is an exhibition architect and furniture designer educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (KADK). With over 35 years of experience, he has worked on projects ranging from toy design and interior design to exhibitions. Notable projects include permanent exhibitions at Geocenter Møns Klint, Vættelys Expo 2000, Goodbye King on Ellis Island in New York, and several exhibitions at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. As design leader at the University Museum of Bergen, Lars oversaw the creation of 16 new natural history exhibitions in the renovated museum, which was named Museum of the Year in Norway in 2021. He has extensive expertise in all stages of the design process, from concept development and 3D modeling to construction management and project delivery.

Frederik Wolff

Frederik Wolff is a filmmaker and digital content producer with over 12 years of experience as a director, creative producer, cinematographer, sound designer, and editor. His work primarily focuses on science communication, natural history, exhibition formats, and personal documentaries. Notable productions include the award-winning exhibition King of Dinosaurs (Merit Award at SEGD Global Design Awards 2021), the National Geographic TV series Drain the Ocean – Camp Century, and the documentary series When the Dogs Are Gone, which was nominated for Best Danish Short Film and Best Documentary at the Odense International Film Festival in Denmark. Frederik also holds an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Camilla Ilmoni

Head of marketing, sales, stakeholder engagement, and communication

camilla@thewhale.no

Camilla Ilmoni is the initiator of The Whale and has more than 20 years of experience in tourism and regional development in Andøy and Vesterålen. She has served as the managing director of whale safari and nature safari companies as well as the destination management organization Visit Andøy, gaining extensive experience in developing whale and nature-based experiences. Camilla has been responsible for marketing and communication efforts, contributing significantly to enhancing the destination's visibility both nationally and internationally. She holds an M.Sc. in Ecology from the University of Helsinki and Marine Biology from the University of Bergen, as well as additional education in sustainability from UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. Camilla was also nominated for "Vesterålen Person of the Year" in 2020.

Svein Spjelkavik

God Strek

Svein Spjelkavik is a cultural worker and creative leader with extensive experience in PR, marketing, and the production of cultural events. He is the founder of God Strek, an agency specializing in communication and special events, and has led cultural projects in countries such as India, Mexico, the USA, Iceland, and Norway. Svein is also the co-founder of Rock mot Rus, Norway's oldest rock festival, and Teaterklubb '81 on Andøya, both of which have created safe and inspiring spaces for children and youth. In 2022, he was awarded the King’s Medal of Merit for his efforts to promote cultural life and is widely recognized as a champion of positive communication through "highlighting the good" (framsnakking).

World-leading design firms

In June 2024, Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) from Berlin and Tamschick Media + Space won the competition to develop the concept and content for The Whale. RAA is the world's largest provider of exhibitions for museums and public spaces, with offices in New York, London, Beijing, and Berlin. Their impressive portfolio includes projects such as the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, and the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.

With a dedicated team led by Tim Ventimiglia from RAA and Marc Tamschick from Tamschick Media + Space, they bring exceptional expertise in both physical design and digital experiences. Collaborating with partners such as Belzner-Holmes Light Design and Dieter Plew from Medienprojekt p2, they are working diligently to bring The Whale’s vision to life.

The Experience

Storyline

Concept and storyline for the exhibitions in The Whale

World-leading design firms

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