A giant whale-alien has fallen to earth in the hands of a trio of artists: Daisy Morin, Jeff Harrison, and Ariel Worley. Their project, Whalienfall, is an ambitious collaborative 3D installation set to debut at Bauhaus Brew Labs on October 18, 2025. With support from Drew Hurst and the Bauhaus team, the artists are transforming the space into something big, strange, and beautiful.
At its heart, Whalienfall draws inspiration from a natural phenomenon known as a whale fall. When a whale dies, its body drifts to the ocean floor, becoming a nutrient-rich habitat that sustains life for decades. The team reimagines this concept through the lens of the fantastical: what if an alien whale-like creature had fallen to Earth’s Ocean floor? What kind of bizarre and thriving ecosystem might spring from its remains?
“We were really drawn to this idea of death and decay turning into something beautiful and regenerative, especially in the context of our current times,” Daisy notes. The alien aspect adds another layer of mystery. Ariel observes, “Whale falls and the deep sea already involve a lot of crazy life and mystery; we know even less about the deep than we do our own world. This is how we landed on the alien concept.”
For her, the symbolism is double-sided: “Alien has a double meaning, and it’s important to think about this creature coming to earth and nourishing an ecosystem in such a beautiful way.” Environmental themes are also central. By tying alien imagination to ecological reality, Whalienfall weaves together mystery, science, and a hopeful vision of regeneration.
The installation itself promises to be an immersive experience. The most significant component, a skeletal frame of the “Whalien,” will hang overhead, while reef-like structures hug the walls and floor. Papier-mâché and recycled materials form the foundation, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainability and accessibility. “It let us think bigger about what it could be from the start,” Daisy says. Ariel reflects on the scale: “I feel like there is something oddly freeing about working really big.” Daisy adds, “I love it, there is a lot of open space to fill and invite other people to be part of filling that with us.”
The deep sea space will also have an interactive element as well. Jeff shares, “In our first couple of meetings, we had conversations about what this will be. Puzzles are intriguing to me… this was important for me to include. So, for those people who are so inclined, there is a message to find at the center of this project.” Visitors will not only see the work but also engage with its riddles and layered meanings.
The collaborative spirit of the project extends far beyond the three lead artists. “We put out an open invite to interested artists and makers to be part of this project,” Daisy says. Contributions so far range from corals and jellyfish to fantastical creatures feeding off the “Whalien”. “That has become one of the things I really liked about the whale fall concept, is that I think other people have really taken it as a canvas to make whatever weird, fun, creative thing they want to make.”
Support from the local arts community has been invaluable. Daisy notes, “And also, we’ve been getting [in terms of medium and technique] lots of help from different people and the arts community in the Twin Cities, including professionals in puppetry, structural engineering, and stage rigging.” As opening day approaches, the team is filled with gratitude for the contributors, for the community, and for the Bauhaus Brew Labs team.
On October 18, the Bauhaus taproom will become something more: a portal into a world where alien whales, decay, and regeneration merge into beauty and play. The artists invite you to step inside, solve a puzzle, and look up to experience the wonder for yourself. See what has surfaced from the depths this October!
Written By: Fina Mooney