WatCit: What interested you in this particular
aspect of marine life for this piece? "Our Changing Seas" is a major
work at any stage of a career, especially at the beginning, so it would be
interesting to know the particular inspirations for coral. Were there other
ideas that you compared it to in the initial stages, or was there something
about coral, either from the biological or aesthetic point of view, that called
to you from the start?
Mattison: I have been mesmerized by the bizarre
forms, colors, and behaviors of coral reef organisms since my first exposure to
them as a child. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to augment my
academic background in marine ecology and ceramic sculpture by exploring many
different coral reef regions including Hawaii, the British Virgin Islands and
Thailand, and doing fieldwork along the Great Barrier Reef. When I first began
sculpting marine flora and fauna in high school, I did so as a way to better
understand their anatomy and interactions. The flamboyant features of corals,
anemones, crinoids and other reef-dwelling invertebrates particularly inspire
my work because of the paradox that these faceless plant-like creatures are
actually complex animals. As I became increasingly immersed in coral reef
biology and had a chance to document ecological changes in coral reefs in the
field, I realized what trouble reefs are in and what a tragedy it would be to
lose these incredible ecosystems. This discovery was what led me to begin using
my art to share the bizarrely beautiful nature of coral reefs and their
ecological importance with the public. It is my hope that my work will inspire
enough people to care about protecting reefs that it will catalyze a public and
political movement to save reefs while we still can. Our Changing Seas is my
first major work towards this goal and is intended as both an educational tool
and a work of fine art with a confrontational yet hopeful message.
Side note: The large scale of this piece was a result of my
desire to create a high impact installation with guidance from a few of my
artist friends and colleagues including my professors and classmates at the
Rhode Island School of Design (where I took classes while at Brown). They
suggested that I "go bigger" and create an installation that would
transform the space and challenge viewers to think and explore for themselves.
WatCit: Could you tell us a little about whom you worked with?
You mentioned in the pamphlet and elsewhere that you interviewed scientists and
others. How did that research process go for you? What were the main points
from those conversations that really informed your work as it went along?
Mattison: Our Changing Seas was the culmination of my master's thesis in Environmental Studies at Brown University with coursework at the Rhode Island School of Design. When beginning my program, I knew that I wanted to combine my interests in marine conservation biology and ceramic sculpture to create a major work of art, but I also wanted input from the experts. My advisors encouraged me to interview top marine researchers, artists inspired by nature, and other environmental leaders such as advocates and policy professionals to learn their opinions about the potential for art to inspire coral reef conservation. I used trends in their responses to inform the design of Our Changing Seas.
In my conversations with marine researchers and professionals,
I discovered a trend in their responses regarding the three major threats to
coral reefs: carbon dioxide emissions (which cause climate change and ocean
acidification), overfishing, and land-based sources of pollution. These three
threats are incorporated into the design of Our Changing Seas with CO2
emissions represented by the bleached section and overfishing and pollution
represented by the slimy green algae that smothers reefs affected by too many
nutrients and a lack of herbivorous fish and urchins.
While all three interview groups agreed that art has the
potential to inspire people to care more about reefs, artists tended to be the
least optimistic that art could lead to actual stewardship. One major trend in
all three groups' responses was that "doom and gloom" messages are
ineffective and I should focus on representing the threats while suggesting
tangible solutions and expressing hope for the future. Quotes from my interview
participants displayed on the website that accompanies Our Changing Seas are
intended to help in this regard (See www.ourchangingseas.org).
WatCit: When I looked at the sculpture in the lobby I was
particularly struck by the way light played upon it. What creative decisions
did you make regarding light as a visual element of "Our Changing
Seas?" Sunlight filtering through the water (or sometimes being
blocked) can have a significant impact on marine life. Was that part of the
message you were trying to get across?
Mattison: I definitely considered the way light plays upon the reef
landscape through the water. I wanted to create an environment that made
viewers feel as if they were flying over a coral reef the way scuba divers feel
as they drift along. I tried to highlight each of the three sections with light
so that viewers could consider the significance of each separately and as a
whole while discovering new details among the crevices and shadows.
What have been some of the reactions to the sculpture?
Between the bleaching of the coral, trade in threatened species and other
encroachments reefs and coral are under serious threat. How do you hope
that your sculpture will address the problem and have any conservationists
pointed to it as part of their efforts?
I hope that by highlighting the major threats to coral reefs
- climate change and ocean acidification, overfishing, and land-based sources
of pollution - along with the fragile beauty of a healthy reef, Our Changing
Seas leaves viewers with a deeper sense of curiosity about our oceans, a
broader understanding of the threats reefs face, and a stronger sense of
urgency to protect and restore them before it's too late.
It's interesting to hear people's responses to Our Changing
Seas. Some people just can't believe that anyone would make a sculpture that
huge and it makes me happy when they realize that I worked so hard to create it
because reefs are just THAT important! I have been especially pleased with
responses from marine policy professionals and scientists who already have the
background knowledge to quickly understand the message of the piece, recognize
its transition from healthy to degraded, and explain it to others. Dr. Jane
Lubchenco - Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA
Administrator - has been an outstanding proponent for the piece and I am
honored to have her encouragement. In fact, we made a video about Our Changing
Seas while the piece was at the U.S. Department of Commerce last year. (See: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=226731507384655).
WatCit: Could you tell us a little more about your other
works? I've seen your c.v. and have visited "Artists for Reefs
Gallery," but would like to ask what would you point out about your
other pieces.
Mattison: I have been creating marine-inspired sculpture for the
past ten years or so, but Our Changing Seas is certainly my largest work to
date. My most recent project (directly following Our Changing Seas) is entitled
Hope Spots: Bringing into view our oceans' most vital ecosystems. It is based
on Dr. Sylvia Earle's wish for the public to use all means at their disposal to
ignite a movement to protect and restore 18 of the world's most ecologically
important habitats - what she calls "Hope Spots." (See more: http://www.courtneymattison.com/Courtney_Mattison/Hope_Spots.html).
One third of the proceeds from the sale of this work benefits the Sylvia Earle
Alliance / Mission Blue and their Hope Spots initiative.
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