OceanArt: Science to Art exhibition

Creator: CCMAR|Art form: Crafts, Visual arts|Knowledge valorisation : Co-creation, Outreach|Place: Faro,Portugal|Location : Exhibition|Target group: Cultural and creative professionals and institutions, General public|Domains: Climate Action and Environment|Duration : 1 month installation
OceanArt invitation
Credit: CCMAR
OceanArt invitation
Credit: CCMAR

Art exhibition bringing together artists and marine researchers

Challenge: How to increase awareness about the problems Ocean faces, and how to encourage citizens to actively take part in the protection and restoration of the Ocean?

Arts and sciences are often seen as opposite of each other. Even the brains are different, they say! Left or right, that is the question. However, the artist and the scientist are not so different of each other. Maybe the way they see the world is.
The world needs the scientist, but also the artist, both of whom are essential in our lives. However, very rarely do they work together or co-operate. This exhibition brings scientists and artists together to raise awareness of the problems the Ocean faces, such as habitat and biodiversity loss, pollution, overexploitation of resources and the impacts of climate change, in order to mobilise citizens to protect and restore our Global Ocean.


In June 2024, a scientific information session was organised for the thirteen artists invited, with the title “Inform to Inspire”. In this session, the problems related to the Ocean were presented and discussed, as well as what is currently being done to solve or minimize them.
Inspired by the scientific information, for six months artists worked on their artwork, always in contact with scientists/researchers, clearing doubts, when necessary. Interesting to see artists to get enthusiast on beings that they didn’t even knew they existed!
An application for endorsement was submitted in May 2024 to the UN Ocean Decade and was accepted in September, which was also a big incentive for the artists and scientists involved.
The exhibition was held in the Main Library of the University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Faro, Portugal, from 6th December 2024 until 15th January 2025.

All artwork displayed (around 40 paintings, sculptures, photography) was related with the Ocean and coastal areas, showing our connection and dependence, and the problems and dangers they are facing. The display was divided by themes related to the main issues of the Ocean, like conservation of biodiversity, sustainability of biological resources, climate changes, and pollution and marine litter. Using the artwork displayed, scientific information related to the different themes and subjects were also displayed (ex., marine tourism, corals, turtles, sea-horses, plancton, whales, aquaculture, etc.).

A small part of the exhibition was with photos taken by scientists during research projects, whith a project resumé explaining their main objectives.

During the opening, each artist presented their work of art. That was very welcomed by the visitors, and an opportunity for the artists to explain the what, why, and how they did it.

Contact : Prof. / Dr. Teresa Cerveira Borges, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR)

Resources needed

Thirteen artists and seven scientists/researchers were directly involved in this exhibition (we didn’t want more scientists than artists). At the end of the Library there was a small section of the exhibition with some photos taken by scientists during their research projects, as well as some explanation of their main objectives.
The budget was mostly inkind from the University of Algarve, (location, designer work of posters, roll-ups, etc., and printing), from CCMAR (dissemination), and from the Peace and Art Society (some material for the exhibition). Later, some money (3,000€) was needed for the catalogue and other expenses and we got it from the Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), through the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR).
For the vernissage, we had the sponsorship of a well-known restaurant and also from a well-known viniard from the region. This was really very welcome.
We really did this exhibition with a lot of goodwill from all people involved, artists, scientists, and other people and institutions. No payments were involved. However, for a better and more relaxed work, some budget needs to be planned in advance (life gets much easier!).

Purpose of artistic intervention

The main objectives of the exhibition was to increase awareness about the crucial role the Ocean plays in our lives, the main problems, and ways people can help to protect and preserve it. By mobilising artistic communities (mainly visual arts) it was expected to stimulate the citizens’ interest and fascination by the Ocean to encourage and act against the destruction of marine ecosystems and to restore coastal areas and endangered habitats.

Positive impacts

Thirty height (38) artworks were displayed from thirteen artists. The success of this exhibition was shown since the opening, with more than 120 people present in the vernissage. Undoughtly the UN Ocean Decade endorsement contributed for this success since it became an incentive for everybody involved. However, the biggest contribution was made by the artists, whom got the spirit of the idea and the necessary inspiration for the art displayed, which all could see and enjoy.
The total number of visitors was significant: more than 21,000 people, and mostly youngsters. However, more than the numbers it was the interest shown by visitors, asking questions about the art and about the scientific information displayed, as well as taking pictures or even notes.

Replication

• The quality of the artists may be important for an exhibition but it’s the interest and passion for the Ocean that makes the difference. Therefore, always invite artists that you know a little about their artwork, but be sure that he/she has some interest on the Ocean.
• Do not pay the artist but give them the opportunity to sell their artwork. One must remember that the artist needs to sell for living.
• Choose carefully the scientists/researchers to be involved. The “language” to communicate is essencial for the success of the exhibition from the beginning. Sometimes scientists tend to talk in a soffisticated way that might be difficult to understand for the artist and common people.
• Give the opportunity for the artists to present their work, explaining the what, why, and how they did it. This can be done during the opening. Usually it’s very welcome by the visitors this explanation and gives the opportunity for the artist individually to show him/herself.
• The place for the exhibition is also important. The best place is a place where people can easely go, without the “obligation” to go specifically for the exhibition. A library becomes also an ”inspiration”, not only for the artist but also for the visitor. People tend to stop everytime they passby and see a new detail or information, absorbing more and better what is displayed.