The twilight zone, The Deep, Hull
How inappropriate to call this planet earth when clearly
it is ocean. This quote from Arthur C Clarke opens the Deep, Hull's self-named 'submarium', which tells the story of the creation of the oceans and the life in them.
It's not unheard of for museums to include an aquarium: the new World Museum Liverpool has kept its fish in the basement post-development, and the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery has
happily coexisted with an aquarium since the 1940s.
But the Deep takes it one step further by mixing the two. Here, the fish are the collection, and their tanks are dotted through the galleries along with the objects, interactives and graphic panels.
The museum (let's call it that: in reality that's what it is) starts with a timeline on the creation of the oceans, and visitors follow a descending ramp past a rock-face of reconstructed fossils showing the evolution of marine life.
Every few metres, there are well-written graphic panels explaining the evolutionary point that you have reached, as well as a range of interactives from a simple wheel mechanism to describe the evolution of the jaw in fish, to more complex audiovisuals. The ramp aids the visitor flow as well as creating the impression of physically travelling below sea-level.
And just when visitors are wondering where the real-live fish are, you arrive at the Wave Tank, the Lagoon of Light and the Coral Realm. Cheesy names aside, the interpretation here is good with a choice of live explainer, graphic panels and the Discovery Corner handling area.
Despite the fact that the latter is sponsored by Young's (purveyor of fine fish) there is a strong conservation and sustainability message throughout the Deep.
The threat to coral reefs and the delicate ecosystem of the oceans from fishing and pollution is a message that is repeated throughout the museum and one that it takes seriously itself: for example, scientists at the Deep are researching the best methods of growing corals, which could lead to new ways of restoring damaged reefs.
Throughout the Deep the interpretation holds up well. Visitor flow and interest are maintained by use of interactives and tanks of varying sizes and, where necessary, banks of seating so you can just sit back and watch the fish glide by.
In March this year, the Deep added another level to its exploration of the oceans: the Twilight Zone. This looks at life 1,000 metres below the surface. Entrance to the area is through a semi-circular theatre, where visitors are introduced to the new gallery.
Although the commentary is interesting, as it explains that the biggest migration on earth takes place each night when thousands of creatures journey from the ocean floor to the sunlit zone to feed, the visuals are confusing. Random images flash in no discernable order on to screens ranged at different heights around the room.
This introductory blip is soon forgotten when you get into the Twilight Zone proper. Here the subdued lighting and hushed tones of the explainers create an eerie atmosphere - an appropriate setting for some of the strangest creatures you are ever likely to meet.
Fascinating animals and facts about them are on display. The nautilus, described as a living fossil related to the ammonites; the wolf eel with its other-wordly looks; and, easily the star attraction, the octopus.
It seemed to get as much of a wow factor from adults as from kids, although the children's toy in its tank - there to provide entertainment for one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean - was a reminder of the captivity that these animals endure, even in the most well-managed environments.
Even the depths of the ocean are not immune to our actions. Simple interactives aimed at children show the consequences of the irresponsible disposal of litter.
Graphic panels explain that increasing numbers of fish are taken from the deep sea but, because so little is known about these fish, it is difficult to set realistic limits for catches - and the stock is particularly vulnerable to over-fishing because the fish take longer to reach maturity.
And if by this stage visitors are wondering what can be done to save the ocean environment, placed strategically by the queuing area for the scenic lift (which travels up through one of the largest tanks) are panels with the contact details of marine friendly organisations, such as the Shark Trust and Friends of the Galapagos Islands.
Biophilia, the attraction to living things and natural forms, may be one explanation for the Deep's extraordinary success - 850,000 visitors in the first year. But its real achievement is that it has done this with its environmental and sustainable integrity intact, and with a clear educational message.
How inappropriate to call this planet earth when clearly
it is ocean. This quote from Arthur C Clarke opens the Deep, Hull's self-named 'submarium', which tells the story of the creation of the oceans and the life in them.
It's not unheard of for museums to include an aquarium: the new World Museum Liverpool has kept its fish in the basement post-development, and the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery has
happily coexisted with an aquarium since the 1940s.
But the Deep takes it one step further by mixing the two. Here, the fish are the collection, and their tanks are dotted through the galleries along with the objects, interactives and graphic panels.
The museum (let's call it that: in reality that's what it is) starts with a timeline on the creation of the oceans, and visitors follow a descending ramp past a rock-face of reconstructed fossils showing the evolution of marine life.
Every few metres, there are well-written graphic panels explaining the evolutionary point that you have reached, as well as a range of interactives from a simple wheel mechanism to describe the evolution of the jaw in fish, to more complex audiovisuals. The ramp aids the visitor flow as well as creating the impression of physically travelling below sea-level.
And just when visitors are wondering where the real-live fish are, you arrive at the Wave Tank, the Lagoon of Light and the Coral Realm. Cheesy names aside, the interpretation here is good with a choice of live explainer, graphic panels and the Discovery Corner handling area.
Despite the fact that the latter is sponsored by Young's (purveyor of fine fish) there is a strong conservation and sustainability message throughout the Deep.
The threat to coral reefs and the delicate ecosystem of the oceans from fishing and pollution is a message that is repeated throughout the museum and one that it takes seriously itself: for example, scientists at the Deep are researching the best methods of growing corals, which could lead to new ways of restoring damaged reefs.
Throughout the Deep the interpretation holds up well. Visitor flow and interest are maintained by use of interactives and tanks of varying sizes and, where necessary, banks of seating so you can just sit back and watch the fish glide by.
In March this year, the Deep added another level to its exploration of the oceans: the Twilight Zone. This looks at life 1,000 metres below the surface. Entrance to the area is through a semi-circular theatre, where visitors are introduced to the new gallery.
Although the commentary is interesting, as it explains that the biggest migration on earth takes place each night when thousands of creatures journey from the ocean floor to the sunlit zone to feed, the visuals are confusing. Random images flash in no discernable order on to screens ranged at different heights around the room.
This introductory blip is soon forgotten when you get into the Twilight Zone proper. Here the subdued lighting and hushed tones of the explainers create an eerie atmosphere - an appropriate setting for some of the strangest creatures you are ever likely to meet.
Fascinating animals and facts about them are on display. The nautilus, described as a living fossil related to the ammonites; the wolf eel with its other-wordly looks; and, easily the star attraction, the octopus.
It seemed to get as much of a wow factor from adults as from kids, although the children's toy in its tank - there to provide entertainment for one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean - was a reminder of the captivity that these animals endure, even in the most well-managed environments.
Even the depths of the ocean are not immune to our actions. Simple interactives aimed at children show the consequences of the irresponsible disposal of litter.
Graphic panels explain that increasing numbers of fish are taken from the deep sea but, because so little is known about these fish, it is difficult to set realistic limits for catches - and the stock is particularly vulnerable to over-fishing because the fish take longer to reach maturity.
And if by this stage visitors are wondering what can be done to save the ocean environment, placed strategically by the queuing area for the scenic lift (which travels up through one of the largest tanks) are panels with the contact details of marine friendly organisations, such as the Shark Trust and Friends of the Galapagos Islands.
Biophilia, the attraction to living things and natural forms, may be one explanation for the Deep's extraordinary success - 850,000 visitors in the first year. But its real achievement is that it has done this with its environmental and sustainable integrity intact, and with a clear educational message.
Project data
Cost: £6.7m
Funding: Millennium Commission Enhancement Fund £2.48m; European Regional Development Fund £1.7m; the Deep £2.1m; Hull Citybuild £0.5m
Designers (Phase ll): Terry Farrell and Partners, Birdjohnson Associates
Exhibition design (Twilight Zone): John Csáky Associates
Cost: £6.7m
Funding: Millennium Commission Enhancement Fund £2.48m; European Regional Development Fund £1.7m; the Deep £2.1m; Hull Citybuild £0.5m
Designers (Phase ll): Terry Farrell and Partners, Birdjohnson Associates
Exhibition design (Twilight Zone): John Csáky Associates
