About The Virtual Ark
Striped Kukri snake - photo credit Josie D'Urban Jackson
About The Virtual Ark…
What would a ‘Virtual Ark’ look like? Out of 15,000+ animals threatened with extinction, which ones would you save?
And … just what is a ‘biobank’?
The Virtual Ark will explore these questions; highlight the wonder – and vulnerability – of our extraordinary ‘animal heritage’ and offer guidance as to what we can do to help safeguard the future of these amazing creatures.
Award winning artist Paul Evans is working with writer/illustrator Rowena Sommerville, The Frozen Ark biobank and Our Big Picture to deliver online creative workshops in schools and communities throughout the North of England. During these workshops participants will co-create a virtual 'gene bank' for endangered species. Drawings, poetry and models from these workshops will then be submitted to Human VR’s Sheffield-based studio where they will be expertly rendered into beautiful 360 degree digital artwork that will be available to download – and suitable for all devices – later in 2021.
“The ‘Virtual Ark’ is an amazing initiative that will help get the message out to young people, who hold the key to the future of our planet and its biodiversity. Paul and Rowena’s talents will enable a transformative experience and the use of VR is tremendously exciting. I can’t wait to see what they produce.”
“As concern for the planet and the increasing extinction of animals continues to grow, I’m really pleased that we are supporting a project that raises awareness of this issue using the arts in conjunction with science. I’m sure that the workshops will enable people across all our communities to get involved and consider the implications of this ecological crisis for themselves. I look forward to seeing the digital artwork that results.”
-The Virtual Ark Full Credits-
Concept and Creative Direction:
Paul Evans
Design Direction and Project Build:
Human VR
Creative Writing Development:
Rowena Sommerville
Scientific Advisory Team:
The Frozen Ark
Community Coordination and Liaison:
Our Big Picture & Tees Valley Arts
Animal Sculptures by pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Primary & Ormiston South Parade Academy, Grimsby, and participants in The Virtual Ark online workshops throughout the UK.
Additional Animal Sculptures by Paul Evans
Poetry by :Our Big Picture Creative Writing Group: Peter Cullum, Maria Garner, Caroline Spence, Keith Suddrey, Alistair Wilkinson; Tees Valley contributors: Nick Armitage, Clair Hardy, Vanessa Langford, Susie Tindale; Whitby Naturalists: Mike Bagshaw, Graham Oliver, Jane Pottas, Richard Pottas, Tim Reed; The Frozen Ark research team: Cléa Audin, Mafalda Costa, Jordan Cuff, Rhian Davies, Danielle Ellis, Lydia Hudson, Hollie Lane, Sarah Morgan, Jude Smith, Sam Wilmot; Rowena Sommerville and Paul Evans
Drawings and paintings by: Nick Armitage, Clair Hardy, Vanessa Langford, Susie Tindale and Rowena Sommerville.
‘Dedicated, in hope, to our children and grandchildren, whatever species we might be.’
The Virtual Ark has been made possible thanks to public funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme and by the Wellcome Trust ISSF3 Public Engagement Proof-of-Concept Award #ARKS21stCentury.
Glass snail - photo credit Jordan Cuff
Jade tree frog - photo credit Aaron Sambrook
Millipede - photo credit Isa Aleixo Pais
