At the intersection of art, science, and environmental advocacy, visual artists Randi Renate and Beatriz Chachamovits are unveiling a groundbreaking sculpture that merges creative expression with coral reef conservation.
Presented at SCOPE Art Show’s beachfront location during Miami Art Week, December 3-8th, 2024, their interactive installation, ‘On Water and Future Dreams,’ highlights the urgency of protecting Florida’s Coral Reef while fostering a collective sense of responsibility for our oceans. The project, partially sponsored by Bridge Initiative and Sustainable Ocean Alliance, is deeply rooted in scientific collaboration and conservation.
Visitors are invited to participate in the conservation process by placing individually crafted ceramic coral shapes onto the dome structure, a design inspired by elkhorn, staghorn, brain coral, and other species native to the Florida’s Coral Reef. This interactive piece symbolizes the collective effort required to restore coral reefs, offering a tangible way for individuals to connect with marine ecosystems.
“We want people to think about reefs not just as beautiful places, but as vital ecosystems,” explains Chachamovits.
Renate also shares, “A group of individual coral polyps make up an entire colony, acting as a single organism. This thinking mirrors how we as individuals each play a role in the larger web of life. Through this lens, our work highlights the intricate ways everything is interconnected.”
Art as a Bridge Between Science and Community
Both Renate and Chachamovits bring extensive experience in public projects and are deeply committed to using their art to inspire environmental action. They are both scuba-certified and have spent years participating in coral restoration efforts alongside organizations like Coral Restoration Foundation™. These experiences have informed the project’s design, which blends visual artistry with ecological accuracy.
“The dome structure of the sculpture is a deliberate choice,” explains Renate. “It’s a powerful shape used in coral restoration projects for its resilience against tropical storms. It also reflects structures like stellar observatories and ancient architecture, reminding us of humanity’s enduring relationship with nature.”
Beyond its design, the sculpture celebrates the critical work being done to restore coral reefs. By replicating the out-planting process in a public, interactive format, the artists hope to inspire both understanding and action. Renate and Chachamovits see their sculpture as a bridge between scientific insight and public engagement, helping to translate complex ecological issues into accessible and emotional experiences.
“Artists and scientists share a lot in common,” Renate notes. “Both create hypotheses, experiment, and explore. Our role as artists is to bring coral reef conservation to the forefront of the community’s mind, offering a new way to understand and engage with the challenges reefs face.”
While the sculpture’s debut at Art Basel will attract a global audience of over 80,000 people, its journey is just beginning. Designed modularly, the piece is slated to travel to other institutions, including non-coastal cities, where it will continue to raise awareness about the crucial role coral reefs play in global ecosystems.
As visitors place coral shapes on the dome, they become part of a shared vision for restoring reefs. It’s a simple act with profound meaning—one that mirrors the collective action needed to protect our oceans.
“This work is about creating a future where coral reefs—and the life they support—can thrive,” says Chachamovits. “Through art, we hope to inspire people to be part of that future.”
Visit SCOPE Art Show’s beachfront installation during Art Basel to witness this powerful collaboration firsthand and become part of the movement to protect our oceans. Together, we can restore coral reefs and inspire lasting change.
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