It's been 100 years since the start of World War I. To commemorate this, Liverpool Biennial commissioned two "dazzle" ships, which will be unveiled in London and Liverpool on July 14. Where do the ships get their name, you ask?
Here's a quick history lesson: back in the day, artist Norman Wilkinson helped design a "dazzle" camouflage, which the Royal Navy then painted on their warships. They did so to throw off the Germans during combat. Now, 100 years later, Wilkinson's design has inspired two contemporary artists to try their own hand at designing warships.
German sculptor Tobias Rehberger took his signature black-and-white geometric design and applied it to the hull of the HMS President. It'll be on view at the Victoria Embankment in London until late 2015. In Liverpool, Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez will unveil his transformation of the pilot ship, Edmund Gardner. It will be on view on a dry dock next to Liverpool's Albert Dock. Unlike Rehberger's monochromatic vessel, Diez's boat has been covered in bright, colorful stripes. Both ships are part of the 14-18 NOW program which celebrates the centenary of the first world war.
Imagine taking them out on the water for a day.
[via TheArtNewspaper]
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