Luke Heimpel

Ghosts of the Atlantic

"In the dead of night off Nova Scotia's coast, the steamship SS Atlantic met its tragic end."Ghosts of the Atlantic is an interactive multimedia documentary installation artwork.Through six biographical segments the piece tells the true story of the 1873 sinking of the SS Atlantic.

“This interdisciplinary work brings together diverse technology, media, and storytelling techniques. The thoughtful use of technology generates a unique and engaging art experience that brings history to life. My work creates a relationship of empathy with lost stories by giving long-gone people voices, physical presence, and embodiment. “Ghosts of the Atlantic” is an interactive, spatially ambitious multimedia documentary installation. The piece consists of a large plinth supporting a model of a ship. Hidden inside the plinth, projection mapping technology brings its story to life using Pepper’s ghost, sound design, environmental projection, and archival footage. Ghostly figures inhabit the ship with simulated physical presence.The story of the SS Atlantic is forgotten in Canadian history. The steamship, with 1000 people aboard, wrecked just outside a humble fishing village on the coast of Nova Scotia in 1873. The bravery of those aboard should not be forgotten. The generous heroism embodied by the families of Prospect Nova Scotia is very inspiring and demonstrates humanistic compassion at one of its finest hours. My unique blend of researched documentary, theatre, optical illusion, and sculpture generates presence and emotional resonance for the, very human, SS Atlantic story. The museum-like structure invites the audience to interact with it. By pressing buttons, viewers can select different chapters of the narrative. These chapters are each told from a unique individual’s perspective. The storytelling and physical illusion create a sense of intimacy, embodiment, and presence, dramatically altering one's relationship with screen-based storytelling. Ghosts of the Atlantic serves as the culmination of my Integrated Media major. The ambitious and diverse components of this work come together to create an immersive and captivating experience.”