A giant interactive model of two Atlantic cods have taken pride of place as part of Poole Museum’s educational tool for its outreach programme. Created by Melis Eres, a third year BA (Hons) Modelmaking student from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), the cod models will be used to represent the diminishing size of these fish.
Working to a live brief set by the museum in collaboration with AUB, Melis explored the history of the Atlantic cod and its significance to the people of Poole, choosing to inform visitors on the diminishing size of these fish.
“I found it fascinating how overfishing could dramatically affect the size of the cod, and I wanted to find a way to represent that," says Melis. “I thought the most compelling and easiest way to educate people was to create two different models of the cod – one giant one and one smaller one – to represent the size difference over hundreds of years.”
Melis, who has a particular love of sea life, originally hails from Vancouver, in the same country as Newfoundland, where the Atlantic cod were fished. Ships from Poole sailed to Newfoundland with salt and provisions, then headed to the mediterranean with the cod, which was then traded for goods like wine, olive oil, and other goods.
The model features two fish, a large one around four feet in length, the smaller one about 30 cm. These sizes accurately reflect the size difference before and after overfishing. Melis says one of the biggest challenges she faced was figuring out how to make the fish move like puppets.
“Creating two articulated puppets, one being almost as tall as me, was definitely a struggle,” she admits.
Sewing the fabric covers for each segment was also a bit of a challenge, but it helped her pick up new skills and techniques along the way.
“Every single segment on each fish had to have a fabric cover put over the base, so I spent a good week just trying to perfect that.”
Melis's research into the Newfoundland cod trade and its impact on the Beothuk people added depth to her project. “I wanted to make sure I informed myself on the topic before diving into making the models,” she says.
This project not only enhanced Melis’ modelmaking skills, but also gave her a deeper understanding of historical and cultural contexts.
“Growing up, I've always been taught the history and impacts of colonisation," Melis reflects. "However, I wasn't taught about how the Newfoundland cod trade affected the Beothuk people.
“It was really interesting to be able to learn about this because of this project, and it feels nice that I can help spread awareness about their history in some way with my models.”
The models will be used within the museum's learning team to educate and engage visitors about the history and impact of the Newfoundland cod trade and overfishing on the Atlantic cod.
Jacqui Arnold, Poole Museum's Collections and Engagement Lead comments, “Melis has made a fantastic fish interactive which the learning team will be able to use to engage our visitors in a fun and interesting way.
“These fish models are the perfect example of how working on a live project and gaining practical hands-on experience can help a student's understanding of a live brief while connecting them to Poole's history.
“We're looking forward to seeing schoolchildren interact with these models once we open again in the summer.”
Melis is graduating from Arts University Bournemouth this year and is interested in working with museum or heritage organisations to make interactive or replica models, or making replica food for marketing purposes, both of which she's passionate about.
