Art and science, at sea

Since 2015 more than 50 artists have come on board R/V Falkor and now Falkor (too). We invite internationally recognized artists, bringing attention and legitimacy to the program, and welcome regional artists who can represent the culture and community in which our research vessel operates. During the recent expeditions in Chile, Rapa Nui artist Tauroa Aguilera Hey and Manuel David Chamorro Recabarren, from the Juan Fernández archipelago, participated in research with scientists during their time on board. 

Tauroa created rich oil paintings and sketches that wove together elements of Rapa Nui culture and scientific exploration alongside themes of navigation, discovery, and honoring what lives in the depths of our Ocean. Manuel David Chamorro Recabarren used a stain on canvas that makes the foundation of the painting while revealing both human and animal figures and presenting a symbolic language. Both artist’s works will be included in the traveling exhibit collection to be shown internationally later this year.

Sin titulo 1 (Without title 1) Work by Manuel David Chamorro Recabarren

 

Traveling art collection inspires ocean connection

SOI wrapped 2023 by participating in Art Basel Miami Beach for the first time, collaborating with Nautilus Magazine and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO. Founded in 1970, Art Basel is one of the world’s largest art exhibitions, with fairs in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris, and Miami Beach. Over 40 pieces from our Artist-at-Sea collection representing the work of 23 artists were displayed at the Miami Convention Center and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Science Museum.

The Art of Saving the Ocean Event, at the the Phillip and Patricia Frost Science Museum.
Image credit:UNESCO/Samuel NavarroUNESCO/Samuel Navarro

In April 2024, the Artist-at-Sea collection traveled to Barcelona, Spain, for the UN Ocean Decade Conference. Artist-at-Sea Taiji Terasaki presented his newest installation, Deepest Reveries, based on species seen during the inaugural year of science with research vessel Falkor (too). The exhibit will be shown again in June at the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York for World Ocean Month. Conference attendees also saw Rebecca Rutstein’s Blue Dreams installation, recently displayed at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., and two dresses from sustainability fashion designer Runa Ray. An Art for Advocacy event hosted by TBA-21 Academy in collaboration with SOI at the Disseny Hub, Design Museum of Barcelona, included interviews with the artists and a workshop discussing how to integrate the arts and science.

An Art for Advocacy event hosted by TBA-21 Academy in collaboration with SOI at the Disseny Hub, Design Museum of Barcelona, included interviews with the artists and a workshop discussing how to integrate the arts and science.


We invite you to share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to subscribe, so they do not miss our first look at Schmidt Ocean Institute’s activities.

Chapter 7 Newsletter – 2024 • Menu
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter