Art’s Ability to Make Waves in Ocean Science and Conservation
Location: Florida, USA
Alison is a marine scientist currently pursuing a Master's in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida. She works as a Graduate Research Assistant in a marine geomatics lab, and is focusing her research on monitoring mangroves and coral reefs using satellite imagery. .
When we encourage our youth to take action for the ocean, often the only career paths we suggest are within the field of science and conservation. Art is viewed as independent from and unrelated to these pursuits. The reality is, art is a necessary tool for science and conservation. This is especially true in the field of ocean science. The depths of our oceans remain vastly unexplored and the complex issues threatening marine life can be difficult to communicate. Art can be used to imagine the unknown, illustrate new discoveries, and inform the public about complex threats facing the ocean. Art is not only a tool that benefits science, it can also be similar to science itself. Some forms of art rely on methodological approaches, encourage curiosity and build observational skills. The ways in which art differs from science are also incredibly valuable in marine conservation. Art can create emotional connections and inspire viewers to care about marine life.
In the past, combining cutting edge scientific theories with artistic vision forever altered scientific paradigms. For a significant portion of human history, the landscape of the deep sea was not well understood. Marie Tharp, a geological assistant working in the Lamont Geological Observatory in 1949, studied depth measurements taken across the seafloor on large paper scrolls in an attempt to map the unknown.1 With data points, depth measurements, a preexisting knowledge of geology, and her talent for drawing, Tharp drafted a map of the northern Atlantic Ocean by hand. She took the depth data and accurately sketched the defining details of the seafloor. Her map revolutionized deep sea geology which had previously assumed the ocean was primarily featureless.1 A senior research scientist currently working at Lamont stated, “It was [Tharp’s] vision, her technical knowledge, and her artistry that really revealed things that had not yet been done and are still relevant, valid, and incredibly accurate today.”1 In this way, Tharp’s ability to excel in science and an artistic field such as cartography allowed her to share a new, more accurate way of visualizing the deep sea.
Much like cartography, scientific illustration utilizes art to better visualize and comprehend the natural world. The process of collecting source material and attempting to accurately portray biology or technology is very methodological and similar to other aspects of science. Sally Bensusen, a well known scientific illustrator and senior graphic designer at NASA states, “Art and science share a lot of attributes, but one thing that they share above all is observation, and with observation comes – dare I say – accuracy.”2
Image 1: An illustration by Ernst Haeckel depicting forams, marine protists. The intricate details and the beautiful composition of his work are part of what elevates his art and makes it a step above typical scientific illustrations. Accessed through Wikimedia Commons.
One of the most popular scientific illustrators of all time was Ernst Haeckel, a German zoologist born in 1834 who used Art Nouveau techniques to illustrate species.3 Haeckel played a key role in the Challenger expeditions where he was tasked with illustrating more than 3,000 new species, all of which brought up from the unexplored waters of the Mariana Trench.4 He is famous for his beautiful illustrations, most notably, his intricate depictions of deep sea life. He brought unique and otherwise unnoticed marine species to the attention of the world by viewing their anatomy with an artistic lens.
As the field of marine science changes, much of the focus has shifted from discovery to conservation. With the ongoing threats of rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise, habitat destruction, and more, there is a need for increased ocean literacy and climate change education. The anthropogenic threats facing marine life can be somewhat abstract, distant, and complex to understand and teach.5 Learning about these topics can also invoke feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.5 A recently published article discussing climate change education stated, “Art has multiple potentials that can be harnessed for climate change education, among them its capacity to engage emotions and to expand imaginaries of the future to create hope, responsibility and care, as well as healing.” 5
In the age of social media, apps like Instagram and Twitter have provided a platform for artists to share their work and their perspectives. This has allowed for a greater dispersal of conservation art. There are many inspiring artists focusing their work on marine conservation. Their work allows a huge global audience to connect with and learn about issues facing marine life. Art has the ability to introduce viewers to new conservation concerns and create emotional connections to these issues.
This piece was created by Chloe Winn, to bring awareness to the issue of long-line shark fishing and finning in the Maldives. Accessed from @chloe_darwinn_art’s Instagram page with permission.)
Conservationists like Chloe Winn use art and social media to share marine conservation concerns with a larger audience. Her piece above depicts sharks caught on long-lines. The goal of this piece was to bring awareness to the issue of illegal shark fishing in the Maldives. She shared a photo of this piece on social media discussing the recent rise in these illegal fishing activities in the Maldives and speculation that the government could be ending the shark fishing ban. She used a line and the end of her pen to depict the way sharks appear when caught on long-lines. The imagery creates feelings of concern for the sharks and is likely to leave an impression on the viewer. Images like this can be more impactful than traditional educational materials.
Art’s ability to create emotional responses benefits conservation efforts. Pieces that depict ongoing issues like coral bleaching and plastic pollution evoke feelings of sadness and promote stewardship towards the ocean. The image below is by Ashley Thomson and depicts a beautiful sea turtle gliding over seagrass at sunset amidst a wave of single-use plastic waste. The negative connotations of the plastic bags, bottles, and other trash is juxtaposed by the serenity of the turtle in its natural habitat. Although some coastal communities may see the realities of issues like this face-to-face, many of us in areas that produce lots of plastic waste do not experience these consequences first hand. Pieces like this expose conservation concerns to a greater audience in an approachable and meaningful way. By appealing to emotion instead of pure logic, communicators are able to use art to create long lasting impressions that appeal to our humanity.
A beautiful painting by Ashley Thomson illustrates the issue of plastic pollution and its effects on sea turtle habitats. Accessed from @amermaidsart Instagram page with permission
In the fight for our ocean’s health, we need the help of all different kinds of people. As much as we need scientists and engineers to study marine systems and create solutions, we also need people who excel in the humanities. We need communicators, photographers, film makers, journalists, poets, and artists. Their work to humanize the ocean’s struggles is just as important. Instead of viewing artistic disciplines as opposing forces to science, I encourage you to appreciate the areas where they intersect and their unique distinctions, all of which can be incredibly important in the pursuit of better ocean science and conservation.
References
1) https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/07/27/marie-tharp-maps-legacy/
2) https://www.aaas.org/news/illustrators-and-scientists-present-value-art-communication
3) https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/art-forms-nature-marine-species-ernst-haeckel
4) https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/artful-amoeba/proteus-how-radiolarians-saved-ernst-haeckel/
5) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-020-02804-4