Collabs
Mediterraneus (Dulk x Fundació Oceanogràfic)
Year
2025
Location
València, Spain
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Organized and managed by
Dulk Studio, Fundació Oceanogràfic
Here we present “Mediterraneus”, a new mural that is part of the latest collaboration with Oceanogràfic of Valencia, as part of its “Arte por la conservación” (Art for Conservation) programme.
The mural, painted in El Cabanyal in Valencia, the fishermen’s neighbourhood, represents different marine species in a spiral shape that reflects the state of conservation, raising awareness of the fragility of the marine ecosystem.
Mediterraneus: the creative process
“Mediterraneus” was developed over several months with the advice of biologists and veterinarians from the Oceanogràfic and his foundation.
As part of the creative process, Dulk organised a workshop with UPV fine arts students and other young artists. During this activity, they discovered the conservation and research projects set up in the Oceanogràfic Foundation, as well as they studied the main environmental problems that affect to the Mediterranean Sea.
Click here to get more info about the workshop: https://dulk.es/press_new-workshop-w-oceanografic-foundation-arte-por-la-conservacion/
From this workshop, and with the advice of biologists from the Oceanogràfic Foundation, “Mediterraneus” was born.
The artwork represents the different families of creatures that live in the Mediterranean, whose biodiversity is the most threatened on the planet.
The species represented in the mural, selected with the advice of Oceanogràfic experts and biologists, form a spiral that begins in the foreground of the composition (upper part of the artwork) with the sperm whale. Here we see the species in a vulnerable state. This spiral continues to the centre of the composition, where the species in critical danger are represented. Finally, the figures are blurred with a bubble effect (representing their gradual disappearance and transition to become part of Mediterranean history).
In addition, the artwork incorporates some details that represent the five main global change agents affecting the Mediterranean, which makes the artwork didactic:
1. Invasive species (blue crab)
2. Climate change (coral bleaching)
3. Habitat degradation (anchors nailed to Posidonia)
4. Pollution (ghost fishing nets and jellyfish in plastic bags)
5. Overfishing (hooks, cut fins)
Art and sustainability
This work of art not only pays tribute to the beauty and richness of the sea, but also aims to raise awareness of the various threats facing our oceans. There is no more appropriate place for its realisation than Valencia, where the sea and the street meet and greet each other.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by the City Council of Valencia, some of the management team of the Oceanogràfic, the director of CACSA, the neighbours of El Cabanyal and the students of the creative workshop.
