The vision
A unique memorial in a charged location
The Whale Memorial will be permanently installed at the heart of South Georgia’s first whaling station, Grytviken. It will be placed within the flensing plan – the area where many thousands of whales were processed, as a permanent memorial to those magnificent creatures.
A whale being processed at Grytviken, 1959. Image: South Georgia Museum
The South Georgia Heritage Trust commissioned artist Michael Visocchi to create a Whale Memorial; an artwork to remember the 175,000 whales killed in the whaling industry on South Georgia between 1905 and 1965 and to celebrate the return of these majestic creatures to the island’s waters.’
For the first half of the 20th century a massive industrial enterprise took place on and around South Georgia. That enterprise was whaling – in pursuit of products from whales that were essential to industry and everyday life during that period. It nearly pushed whales to extinction.
Titled Commensalis: The Spirit Tables of South Georgia, the memorial commemorates the loss of 175,000 whales at South Georgia between 1905 and 1965 and celebrates their return to the island’s waters. In the past South Georgia was the epicentre of the southern whaling industry but more recently has become a beacon of hope to the whole world as an ecosystem in recovery – demonstrating that ecological restoration is possible and nature heals when given the chance.
As the world’s most remote permanent art installation, the creation of Commensalis presents a unique opportunity to change the narrative on South Georgia from whaling to whales – creating a focal point for everyone who cares about nature and supporting vital research to protect the future of whales in the Southern Ocean.
At the heart of Michael’s artwork is a collection of seven huge circular tables made of weathering steel, often known as Cor-Ten steel – the Key Table and the six Spirit Tables – imposing physical reminders of what took place at South Georgia, in a form that is inspired by the structures and textures of the remains of the whaling industry in this unique and charged site.
The home of the Whale Memorial in the remains of the whaling station at Grytviken, South Gerogia. Photo: Grant Pierce
Indicative illustration to show complete Whale Memorial in place on the flensing plan at Grytviken.
Part One: The Key Table
The ‘anchor’ of Commensalis and the first element to be installed at Grytviken is the Key Table.
The Key Table shows the numbers of whales that were processed at South Georgia, Reminiscent of the huge oil tanks that are still standing at Grytviken, the Key Table features a Nightingale chart using reclaimed original rivets from South Georgia’s whaling stations to show the meticulously recorded numbers of whales slaughtered:
87,555 Fin whales
41,515 Blue whales
26,754 Humpback whales
15,128 Sei whales
3,716 Sperm whales
582 Southern Right whales
Each of the reclaimed rivets used on the Key Table represents 50 whales.
Boiler tank at Grytviken whaling station. Photo: Michael Visocchi
Michael Visocchi and Chris Falconer (Director of MCE Engineering) during construction of the Key Table. Photo: Art Lewry, CCC
The Key Table outside V&A Dundee before its 8,000 mile journey to South Georgia, 2025. Photo: Art Lewry, CCC
Part Two: The Spirit Tables
The six Spirit Tables are punctuated by approximately 17,000 stainless steel rivets in various mesmerising patterns inspired by the natural histories of each species, with each rivet symbolising a live whale or the spirit of a live whale. The artist’s design will allow light to bounce off each one, illuminating the space and conveying a feeling of hope that is reflected in the growing numbers of whales in the waters around South Georgia. However, each Spirit Table has a stark cut-out piece, indicating the absence of the whales slaughtered during the years of industrial whaling.
The Spirit Tables will be developed over time, representing the six different whale species that were hunted and processed at Grytviken: Blue whale, Fin whale, Southern Right whale, Sei whale, Sperm whale and Humpback whale.
The Blue whale table
This pattern emphasises the size of the Blue whale, with its design containing the largest of the rivets in the Whale Memorial. The largest single rivet in the entire artwork is found at the exact centre of this Spirit Table. This rivet represents the largest blue whale ever taken in Antarctic waters (an astonishing 30 meters long) which was processed at Grytviken.
Table diameter: 7.56 metres
The Fin whale table
The Fin whale was by far the most hunted species of whale in Antarctic waters by the whaling industry. The pattern Michael has employed on this table is that of the Fibonacci Mandala or a Vogel’s Model. The Fibonacci pattern or sequence makes its appearance in all living things and to my mind suits as the best visual memorial to the whale species most persecuted during the Antarctic whaling industry. It is a regal and beautiful pattern.
Table diameter: 6.37 metres
The Sperm whale table
The Sperm whale Spirit Table displays rivets in a pattern which suggests the ‘marguerite formation’. This is a formation that sperm whales use in the wild when protecting calves from predators. The whales form a circle around a vulnerable whale with their tails facing outwards. The flicking of their enormous tails can be potentially deadly to attacking predators. The circular arrangement of the rivets on this table subtly reflect this behaviour.
Table diameter: 5.95 metres
The Humpback whale table
The spiral pattern of rivets on the Humpback whale Spirit Table makes reference to the spiral bubble nets these whales produce to corrale krill when feeding.
Table diameter: 6.89 metres
The Southern Right whale table
The Southern Right whale Spirit Table has a crescent moon ‘edge’ arrangement of rivets that refer to the nocturnal ‘skim feeding’ observed in this species and the moon’s effect upon the ocean’s tides.
Table diameter: 6.02 metres
The Sei whale table
Table diameter: 6.02 metres
What’s the story behind the rivets?
Michael explains why the rivets were such an important element of the artwork…
“Many of the constructions at the whaling station, such as the oil storage tanks, were fabricated on site from separate prefabricated components, commencing in November 1904. Rivets were frequently used in the fabrication of industrial and nautical architecture and vessels throughout the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, before welding became commonplace. Rivets were brought to South Georgia in their thousands. These simple metal fasteners held together not only the physical aspects of the whaling industry at South Georgia, but also, in a symbolic sense, they held together the broader economic and destructive aspects of the whaling industry.
Whilst considering the rivets at Grytviken I was reminded of the amazing phenomenon of seeing barnacles attached to the flanks of whales. I discovered that many species of whales attract these barnacles and whales have developed a particular type of symbiotic relationship with the barnacle known as commensalism. The barnacles actually protect the whales, like a suit of armour. Grey whales have been known to roll over when under attack from other whales, presenting their enemies with a back covered in barnacles.”
Collection of heritage rivets at Stromness whaling station. Regulated Activity Permit No.2024/021 Photo: SGHT & GSGSSI
Recovered rivets from Stromness, Sough Georgia at Michael’s studio in Scotland, ready to be incorporated into the artwork. Photo: Art Lewry, CCC
Example of rivet made for the Spirit Tables. Photo: Art Lewry, CCC
Michael Visocchi marking out the location of the Key Table and Spirit Tables on the flensing plan at Grytviken. Photo: Grant Pierce
“We hope The Key Table will act as a reminder that humanity can make or break fragile environments like South Georgia. Visitors to the island now delight in whale sightings from their cruise ships, not realising the darker past where humans almost wiped out whales in this location. It is a fitting memorial to an animal rather than a human, on an island where nature is in charge.
As a charity that exists to help protect South Georgia’s natural environment and to preserve its cultural heritage, we hope this new Whale Memorial will provide important opportunities for a greater understanding of the island’s history as well as the possibilities for its future.”
A Blue Whale and her calf at South Georgia. Photo: British Antarctic Survey – Wild Water Whales / Hungry Humpbacks project