The Institute For Figuring began a 'Satellite Reef' program in 2007 as a way for local communities to participate in its Crochet Coral Reef project (2005-present). Satellites have been hosted in cities across the U.S. and Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Just as living reefs send out spawn—tiny seeds that settle in far-flung places and begin to grow into new reefs—so too the Crochet Coral Reef sends out ‘spawn.’ The UC Santa Cruz Satellite Reef is the newest addition to the IFF's worldwide reefing network.
UC Santa Cruz is creating their own 'Satellite Reef', with crocheting beginning October 21, 2016, 1:30-4:30 PM, Stevenson Event Center.
Join co-creators of the Crochet Coral Reef project, Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the IFF, at an opening workshop to launch this exciting project, which includes exhibitions at UCSC's Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. The Wertheims will teach the techniques of hyperbolic crochet and introduce the project. Crocheters at all levels of experience are welcome, from novices to experts. No prior crochet skill is needed, but if you are experienced you'll pick up the possibilities quickly. Materials will be provided, although experienced crocheters are encouraged to bring their own.
Events begin with a talk about the subject of hyperbolic geometry and its manifestations in the marine world. Hands-on teaching of the craft of hyperbolic crochet, originally discovered by mathematician Dr. Daina Taimina, follows. As the afternoon progresses, participants branch out from these simple seeds, making models of their own and exploring the endless variations that these techniques enable. Everyone is encouraged to pursue their own creative instincts.
Registration is not required, but strongly encouraged. Register HERE.
The Crochet Coral Reef is a spectacularly beautiful, artistically complex, and socially powerful way to bring people together around a devastating ecological challenge—the survival of the coral reefs and marine ecologies throughout the world. Since its first public showing in 2006, the Crochet Coral Reef has been exhibited in twenty countries and seen by over half a million viewers. More than 8,000 people have participated in the IFF’s Satellite Reef program, with workshops held in London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Dublin, Fukuoka and many other cities.
Crochet Coral Reef List of Events:
Thursday, October 20, 2016
7-8:30 PM
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, La Feliz Room
"Understanding Coral Reefs Through Woolly Sculptures"
Margaret Wertheim at the Ken Norris Memorial Lecture
Friday, October 21, 2016
1:30-4:30 PM
UCSC Stevenson Event Center
UC Santa Cruz Satellite Reef Crochet Workshop with Margaret Werthiem
Friday, October 21, 2016
5-7 PM
UCSC Stevenson Event Center
"Crocheting the Chthulucene"
Donna Haraway in Conversation with Christine and Margaret Wertheim
Sunday, October 23, 2016
12-3 PM
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, La Feliz Room
UC Santa Cruz Satellite Reef Crochet Workshop with Margaret Wertheim
Friday, November 18, 2016
5-8 PM
Museum of Art and History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Radical Craft Night
Crochet with UC Santa Cruz Satellite Reefers
February, 2017
Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
Porter College, UC Santa Cruz
Opening of the IFF's Crochet Coral Reef Traveling Exhibition
May 4, 2017
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Opening of the locally-made, UC Santa Cruz Satellite Reef Exhibition
Stay tuned for more info!