BLACK ATLANTIC EXHIBITION — SCULPTURAL BOAT

Displayed on the shores of this former shipping port, Black Atlantic was a thought-provoking exhibition that explored the complex hybrid cultures and identities that have emerged from transatlantic networks over the centuries. The exhibition featured the works of five artists, each offering a unique creative approach towards crafting new identities and futures through the personal gestures of hand-made work, often in dialogue with large-scale fabrication processes. The works were as inventive in form and materials as they were powerful in their themes.

As part of the exhibition, we were tasked with manufacturing a boat with a whale skeleton out of Alaskan cedar, the hull and gunwale out of white oak, to be installed outdoors in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The boat had to be both structurally sound and visually impressive, embodying the spirit of the exhibition and the transatlantic connections it celebrated.

To achieve this, we modeled the boat in CAD, ensuring that every component was designed to fit precisely into place. With the help of Willard Brothers, exotic wood specialists based in Hamilton, NJ, we were able to combine our manufacturing skill sets to machine out the wood components for the boat's assembly. The final result was a stunning piece that showcased the intricate interplay between form, material, and theme, fitting seamlessly into the exhibition's broader narrative.