Until 5 October 2025
Tate
The Genesis Exhibition: Immerse yourself in an evocative exploration of the deep sea’s political, ecological, and cultural dimensions through Emma Critchley’s Soundings, a groundbreaking three-screen video and sound installation showcased at Tate St Ives. This captivating work unfolds through a harmonious blend of mesmerizing oceanic footage, ethereal soundscapes, and contemporary dance, inviting viewers to engage with the pressing issues surrounding deep-sea mining and its repercussions on our planet.
The installation offers a rare gateway into a realm that remains inaccessible to most. Moments of poetic intimacy emerge as a dancer’s fluid movements meet the enigmatic presence of deep-sea creatures, creating a visual dialogue that transcends typical exhibition experiences. The voices of Pacific activists add a vital human dimension, underscoring the ocean as a contested space rich with ecological importance and geopolitics.
More than a visual spectacle, Soundings challenges audiences to rethink humanity’s relationship with nature. The work interweaves an urgent ecological call with cultural perspectives, cultivating a sensitivity towards our environment’s fragility. An integral component of the installation is Rights of the Deep, an open letter co-authored by a diverse coalition of marine scientists, legal experts, and Indigenous activists advocating for the ocean’s protection—posing critical reflections on conservation and stewardship.
Complementing the video installation, live dance performances occasionally animate the gallery space, forging an even deeper connection between viewers and the enigmatic underwater world on screen. These dynamic moments transform the exhibition into a multisensory encounter, emphasizing movement, sound, and the intangible essence of oceanic life.
Supported by John Hansard Gallery, Tate St Ives, and the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts—with generous public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England—Soundings was also realized in collaboration with Quay Arts and South East Dance. Its rich, multi-institutional support underscores the work’s relevance and resonance across creative and environmental sectors.
For those interested, Soundings will continue its journey beyond Tate St Ives, to be presented at Quay Arts, Isle of Wight, from 10 October to 19 December 2025, extending the conversation about the ocean’s depths and their ever-increasing significance in today’s world.
Discover more about this stirring exhibition by visiting the official Tate webpage: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/emma-critchley-soundings.
