Horizon Line

Most of us rush past the things worth stopping for. Horizon Line is the Museum’s sanctuary for slow looking – a calm, sensory-friendly space built around a single work: Ian Hansen’s HMS Investigator and Le Géographe. Simple prompts guide you to notice more than you thought possible in a guided meditation. The artwork depicts the peaceful 1802 encounter between British and French exploration ships off the southern coast of Australia. The work, part of the National Maritime Collection, depicts a rare and historic moment - on 8 April 1802, HMS Investigator, commanded by Matthew Flinders, encountered the French ship Le Géographe, commanded by Nicolas Baudin. Despite Britain and France being at war, the meeting was peaceful. The captains exchanged information and charts before continuing their separate journeys. The place later became known as Encounter Bay. Come solo for quiet reflection or share the experience with family and friends in a calm, sensory-friendly space. Add your response to the shared journal. Drop in, slow down, and see what you’ve been missing.