“Beneath the Red Sea; a New Form of Reef” by Marie Griesmar
Title:
- Beneath the Red Sea; a New Form of Reef
Artist(s) and People Involved:
Exhibiting Artist(s):
Symposium:
Venue(s):
Medium:
- Film
Art Event Affiliation:
- The Swiss Artistsinlabs Program
Artist Statement:
This project was developed during a three-month Artists in Labs residency in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Here, Griesmar uncovered the necessary requirements for building durable artificial coral structures. What inspiredthe design of these sculptures is the different patterns and geometrical forms which can be observed in corals, sponges and other organisms that constitute reef environments. The shapes were analysed –from their molecular bases to their resulting final structures– and then interpreted into sculptures. The chosen material to build them is clay. When burnt, clay offers a great adherent surface upon which corals can prosper. Furthermore, the shapes conceived provide natural protective spaces in which a variety of organisms can find secure and comfortable dwellings. By organizing and combining the sculptures together in space, a new form of an artificial reef was created.
