Voices from the Depth
- ARTIST: Ismail El Zahed, Ayushi Patel, and Kyawt Hmu May
- Mentors: HEINRICH & PALMER
- LOCATION: St Mary’s Churchyard
- Year: 2024
The project “Voices From The Depths” is an immersive light installation inspired by the geological and historical significance of St. Mary’s Churchyard. The design transforms the outdoor space into a glowing underwater world, featuring bioluminescent sea creatures like jellyfish and a large, luminous octopus. The interplay of light and shadow creates an enchanting, otherworldly atmosphere, inviting visitors to experience the magic of an imagined ocean floor.
Design Stages
Under the Sea
At the lighting festival at St Mary’s Church, the main indoor installation, Once a Sea, was created with an immersive bioluminescent light experience. Inspired by this work, we developed an outdoor installation responding to the same underwater theme. Drawing from the imagery of the sea and marine life, our piece translated the atmosphere of Once a Sea into an exterior setting, exploring how light and form could extend the narrative beyond the church interior.
Choosing the site location
To realise the under the sea concept, we selected a site where four trees form a natural enclosed space. This arrangement allowed us to secure nets between the trees and suspend the installations effectively.
Bringing the Sea to the Surface
Jellyfish
Jellyfish were chosen as inspiration for their natural bioluminescence and gentle movement. This informed an installation of suspended light elements, creating the effect of glowing jellyfish floating through the outdoor space at St Mary’s Church.
Octopus
An oversized octopus was positioned at the centre of the installation, acting as a focal point among the surrounding jellyfish. All creatures were suspended using fine, nearly invisible lines to create the illusion of floating, allowing the installation to appear light, fluid, and in gentle motion.
This installation bridges the historical context of the site with a modern design narrative, blending the natural surroundings with an underwater theme. Positioned between four trees, the display integrates the landscape to enhance its visual impact, encouraging visitors to engage with the environment. The project’s goal is to create a captivating, interactive experience while fostering a connection between past and present, nature and design.
Commissioned by St Mary’s Church, Fratton, Portsmouth in partnership with Fratton Together with support from Arts Council England, Portsmouth Creates and the University of Portsmouth.
Artist Bio
Ismail El Zahed, Ayushi Patel, and Kyawt Hmu May are MA students in Interior Architecture and Design at the University of Portsmouth, each bringing their unique vision and creativity to immersive design projects.
Their shared passion for blending historical narratives with contemporary design innovation has driven their collaboration on “Once A Sea”, an immersive bioluminescent light installation. This project explores themes of memory, time, and nature, using light and storytelling to transform spaces into vibrant, underwater-inspired experiences. Together, they have crafted a visually striking and thought-provoking installation that draws on their collective expertise in design, material experimentation, and spatial narratives. Their collaboration highlights how design can evoke emotional responses and connect audiences to the deeper themes of history, identity, and the natural world.