Cambridge shopping centre Grand Arcade is once again focusing on environmental welfare and responsibility via an ocean-protection-themed exhibition this summer.
In partnership with the University Museum of Zoology, the retail hub is planning to deliver an immersive, ocean-themed art exhibition for visitors called ‘Grand Depths’, which will run from 18 July to 31 August.
The Cambridge shopping centre will be transformed into an underwater experience for visitors, using recycled paper materials to create handcrafted aerial and ground-level sculptures of marine wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.
Operators of Grand Arcade are committed to curating memorable visitor experiences that prioritise environmental responsibility and interactive learning opportunities for shoppers. Since 2022, the venue has been running annual ‘Let’s Go Circular’ events which aim to highlight the benefits of a circular economy and bring people together for daily events dedicated to environmental education.
And back in 2024, the University of Zoology and Grand Arcade partnered for a ‘Grand Safari’ exhibition.
This summer’s showcase will offer free educational activities for children and families to promote marine conservation, alongside talks from renowned zoologists at the University of Cambridge.
Grand Depths will be prioritising sustainable practices and bespoke artistry throughout the exhibition. Grand Arcade said all paper sourced is FSC-certified, meaning that it has been procured from ethical and responsibly managed forests. To create the installations, six artists have devoted over 800 hours of craftmanship to the project, using techniques such as paper and cut, origami, and low poly to mirror the movement of ocean wildlife and to draw attention to the fragility of our marine ecosystems.
Areas of the exhibition include the central piece, Ocean in Motion, which will consist of 500 handmade origami fish made of 100% recycled paper to transform the atrium of Grand Arcade into an underwater experience, along with coral reefs, suspended jelly fish, sea horses, a large-scale octopus, and a shark.
Julie Kervadec, marketing manager at Grand Arcade, remarked: “Grand Depths not only celebrates the beauty and importance of our oceans while highlighting the urgent need to protect them but also reflects our dedication to sustainability at every stage of the exhibition process.
“From the materials selected to the practices employed throughout its development, we want to demonstrate that world-class retail and experiential marketing can be both environmentally responsible and commercially impactful. We are beyond excited to launch our latest exhibition on 18 July.”
Professor Mark Brown, director of the University Museum of Zoology, added: “Now more than ever, it is vital that we protect the health of our oceans and the incredible biodiversity they support.
“Retail has an important role to play in driving environmental awareness and demonstrating how sustainability can be embedded into everyday experiences.”
[image credit: Grand Arcade]
