The Virtual Ark

Created through a collaborative process developed by artist Paul Evans working alongside writer Rowena Sommerville, The Frozen Ark biobank and Our Big Picture, The Virtual Ark represents a virtual 'gene bank' of endangered species. During lockdown, the artists delivered online creative workshops in schools and communities throughout the North of England, during which participants co-created poetry and sculpture which were submitted to Human VR’s Sheffield-based studio. These texts and sculptures have now been rendered into a beautiful 360 degree digital artwork that is now available to download – and suitable for all devices. The Virtual Ark has been made possible thanks to public funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme and by the Wellcome Trust ISSF3 Public Engagement Proof-of-Concept Award #ARKS21stCentury.