Leviathan

Leviathan is an ambitious artistic project looking at some of the urgent issues of our times through a ten-part film cycle, series of paintings, sculptures and virtual reality trilogy conceived and directed by Shezad Dawood. In dialogue with a wide range of marine biologists, oceanographers, political scientists, neurologists and trauma specialists, Leviathan explores the notions of marine welfare, migration and mental health and their possible interconnections.

As much open-source resource as artist’s project, Leviathan is continually informed by an ever-growing number of Scientists to imagine various speculative futures that may extend from the present moment. When the project is exhibited, researchers are invited as part of a dynamic Public Programme to present their work to new audiences both live and online, generating an ever-growing network of participants and audiences. These curated events and conversations, made accessible through a free Vimeo channel and open-source research papers, anchor the project in the present challenges that we face as a global community.

Following its inaugural presentation in Venice in May 2017 to coincide with the 57th Art Biennale, Dawood’s Leviathan has facilitated and produced over 30 talks and events alongside exhibitions aimed at encouraging cross-disciplinary dialogue. Distinguished speakers have for example included the theorist Franco ‘Bifo’ Berardi in conversation with leading oceanographer Sandro Carniel; Cristina Cattaneo director of the LABANOF at the University of Milan, whose work operates at the frontline of the refugee crisis; and pioneering evolutionary geneticist Eske Willerslev.

To date, eight of the ten films in the Leviathan Cycle have been produced. These works have been presented at film festivals including CPH:DOX (Copenhagen, Denmark), Oberhausen (Oberhausen, Germany), and Kino der Kunst (Munich, Germany), Skabmagovat Festival (Inar, Finland) and at one-off screenings and special events with partners including Elephant Magazine and the Goethe-Institute.