Life-Sized ‘Dead Whale’ Draws Thousands to Caspian Sea to Raise Climate Awareness at COP29

A massive, 52-foot, hyper-realistic model of a sperm whale has appeared on the shores of the Caspian Sea, near Baku, Azerbaijan, emitting a rancid smell that has drawn thousands of curious onlookers. Although sperm whales don’t inhabit the Caspian Sea, this replica has sparked intense reactions and conversations among residents and visitors.

The whale, crafted by Captain Boomer, a Belgian collective of artists and scientists, is part of an awareness campaign to draw attention to ecological issues and climate change. Using molds taken from real whales and the added effect of rotting fish nearby, the installation replicates the appearance and smell of a beached whale, immersing people in a startling reminder of environmental degradation.

Captain Boomer has exhibited the model in cities across Europe and Australia for over a decade. This time, they have brought it to Baku in coordination with COP29, a United Nations climate summit addressing global climate change challenges. The collective’s intent is to confront people with the tangible impact of environmental crises, making them reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature. “People feel that their bond with nature is disturbed,” said Bart Van Peel, a Captain Boomer representative.

After a two-week journey by truck from Belgium through Europe, Turkey, and Georgia, the whale arrived in Baku with the cooperation of Azerbaijani authorities and local environmental activists, including Adnan Hussein of the FINS initiative, which aims to protect marine species.

In addition to the whale, the installation includes a street theater performance, where actors portray scientists examining the whale and speculating on its “death.” These fictional stories, sometimes attributing the whale’s presence to disrupted migration routes due to climate change, create a narrative that merges fact with fiction, provoking viewers to think deeply about the ecological effects of climate disruption.

With oceans warming, marine life, including whales, face challenges like altered food sources and disrupted migration routes. These conditions increase their vulnerability to human activities like fishing and shipping. Through this installation, Captain Boomer seeks to capture these challenges symbolically, emphasizing the urgency of climate action.

Since the exhibit’s debut, thousands have visited, some staying for extended periods, visibly moved by the sight. Van Peel reflects on the collective experience around the whale, describing it as a “gesture of a beast coming from another element and throwing itself at our feet, saying: ‘Look, I can’t anymore.’” He hopes the exhibit serves as a powerful question for those who experience it: “What are you going to do?”