The Whale and The Ship

Before listening to Greenland Whale Fishery I understood the relationship between the whaler and the whale to appear obvious: The whaler is hunting the whale for its oil and thusly for a pay day. But these songs reveal a multi faceted relationship that labels/objectifies the whale as an enemy, a prize, and prey. Its as if these men are blinded by a somewhat savage desire that overcomes all monetary needs and satisfies a unquenchable primal instinct. These men are willing to risk life and limb to capture and conquer an animal of such size and power and while blinded by these desires label the whale an enemy when really it is the victim.  

The songs also speak to a brotherhood and an almost overwhelming feeling of optimism among the sailors that can only be achieved when stranded on a ship for an indeterminate amount of time. But this deeply complex and troubled relationship with the whale overshadows all else.

I wanted to reconcile this relationship and try to equate and draw similarities between the whale and the whaler (specifically the whaler’s vessel). Cutting a section through the whale and the ship brings to light the complexities hidden underneath their surfaces and places the whale and the vessel on an even playing field. Both are large entities comprised of smaller moving parts and this similarity is the first step towards bridging the gap between these adversaries.