whale falls occur when a large whale dies and its body sinks to the ocean floor. over the first few months, scavengers consume the soft tissue and in the next year or so, detritus enriches the deep-sea sediments. the whale skeleton supports diverse communities of marine life for decades, as a habitat and nutrient resource. microbes form the foundation of these unique ecosystems, utilizing the energy released from the chemical reactions of the decaying organic compounds of whale bones.
whale falls illustrate the cyclical nature of life on earth; death is not often the end in nature, but rather the source and sustenance of new life. inspired by the deep-sea "requiems" held for these fallen creatures, this piece explores the concept of life's continuation beyond death, inspired by the cyclical rhythms of the natural world.