I was inspired to make this Virtual Reality graveyard for extinct species after Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros, died in March. The species had survived for millions of years, but could not survive mankind. The graveyard currently features 5 animals that were hunted to extinction by mankind: Woolly Mammoth (2,000 B.C.), Dodo (1681), Pyrenean Ibex (2000), Pinta Island Tortoise (2012), Northern White Rhinoceros (2018). But it is a ongoing project that I am going to expand until the space is filled with groups of extinct animals of the past, and the coming ones. A way to visualize the sixth mass extinction in our plant’s history and acting as a harsh reminder of mankind's ability to wipe animals from the face of the Earth. I want the viewer to learn from the sad loss of animals like Sudan, and this virtual graveyard provides a place for grieving his loss. Using gravestone slogans such as “Lost Now but Loved Forever” I wanted to create a sense of mourning for these lost species.

Published: April 11, 2018