What is James Cameron — CHALLENGING THE DEEP?
It’s like a deep-sea adventure with filmmaker, inventor and ocean explorer, James Cameron! In the exhibition, you’ll learn about his dive to the bottom of the ocean in a vehicle he helped create, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. The exhibition includes big screen displays, cool artifacts, and information about famous shipwrecks like the Titanic. You'll also see movie props, costumes, and learn about Cameron's underwater technology innovations.
Isn’t James Cameron a filmmaker?
While James Cameron is well-known as a successful filmmaker, his passion and contributions to deep-sea exploration and research are equally impressive. The relevance of this exhibition lies in showcasing this lesser-known aspect of Cameron's work and its influence on our understanding of the deep ocean. He once said, “I’m an explorer at heart, a filmmaker by trade.” He was also instrumental in creating a diving suit that allows camera operators move easily in bodies of water — this revolutionized the filming of underwater scenes!
Is this exhibition about the Titanic?
Not entirely. While the Titanic is certainly a part of the exhibition, it’s only a small part of the larger story that James Cameron and the exhibition’s creators are telling. A story that is about far more than just one ship or one movie — it's about Cameron’s journey as a pioneering explorer, his contributions to deep-sea research, and the technological innovations that have come from his work.
Why are you opening the exhibition despite the ongoing situation with OceanGate?
This exhibition is not connected to OceanGate. James Cameron — CHALLENGING THE DEEP is a travelling exhibition produced by the Australian National Maritime Museum in association with the Avatar Alliance Foundation. Since 2018, it has been toured internationally by Flying Fish and its time at Science World was planned well in advance. You can view the exhibition's tour history and itinerary here.
Given the recent news about OceanGate’s latest expedition, we understand and appreciate your concerns about the timing of the exhibition, and we share your concern and empathy for those involved in the situation.
Is opening the exhibition exploiting what’s going on with OceanGate?
It is never our intention to exploit or make light of serious incidents. As a non-profit charitable organization, we always strive to be a culturally safe space for people to engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics). This exhibition provides an opportunity to shed light on the complexities, challenges, and risks associated with deep-sea exploration while highlighting the significant advancements developed over the years.
How does James Cameron’s work relate to all this?
James Cameron’s work has greatly contributed to deep-sea research and exploration, and the knowledge gained from his expeditions is invaluable to ongoing and future missions. We hope that through this exhibition, visitors will gain a better understanding of the importance of deep-sea exploration and its related risks and challenges.
Can I learn about the technology used in deep-sea exploration in this exhibition?
Absolutely. It highlights the inventions and adaptations used in James Cameron’s expeditions and unpacks the science behind underwater engineering and deep-sea technology. You'll discover how Cameron's innovations, some even developed for his famous films like Titanic and The Abyss, have been applied to deep-sea research, enhancing safety and abilities in these challenging conditions. This exhibition will give you a better understanding of the technical marvels that make exploring the ocean possible.
How can children learn from this exhibition?
James Cameron — CHALLENGING THE DEEP is designed to be engaging and informative for visitors of all ages. Through interactive displays and videos, everyone can learn about the wonders of the deep sea, the importance of ocean exploration, and how technology can help us understand our world better. They can also learn about the values of curiosity, appreciation and respect for nature that drive explorers like James Cameron.