Whale Tail Art: Stratford Station’s Unexpected Installation

Stratford station's newest art installation, Ahmet Öğüt‘s “Saved by Art, Saved by the Whale's Tail,” features a large whale tail visible near the DLR gates. Unlike London's other whale-related landmarks, this artwork's inspiration isn't local maritime history. Instead, it references a 2020 incident in Rotterdam where a whale tail sculpture unexpectedly stopped a runaway metro train during a safety test. The piece, commissioned by Art on the Underground, uses the humorous, almost absurd image of art rescuing human error as its central theme. Öğüt's Stratford artwork, a 2D rendition of the original sculpture, serves as a playful commentary on the unexpected ways art and chance can intersect. While it lacks the life-saving capabilities of its Rotterdam counterpart, it adds a quirky, memorable element to the station's aesthetic. The installation's unexpected nature and the story behind it have sparked curiosity and conversation, engaging commuters in a unique artistic experience. The artwork's placement ensures high visibility, making it an easily accessible and engaging public art piece.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/transport/whale-stratford-station-ahmet-ogut)