Whale - Auckland Zoo

Brief

Create a 5 metre stylised whale skeleton to be hung from the ceiling of the restaurant at Auckland Zoo.

Client

Auckland Zoo

Manufacture

The skeleton components were cut from MDF and sprayed silver. These were hung from a steel spine, which evened out the load and held the whole exhibit together. The small fish were sculpted in polystyrene and painted with water-based paints. These were then wired to the skeleton. Finally the entire whale structure was wrapped in wire representing the skin of the mammal.

Finished Results / Interesting Notes

Although the MDF sections are referred to as the skeleton, the skeleton of a blue whale looks more like a human without legs. The main body and tail do not have any bones at all.