Schmidt Ocean Institute Artists-at-Sea Program
September 8, 2022- February 2023
Pier 66 and Pier 69 at Seattle, Washington
GLASS OCTOPUS VAMPIRE SQUID DINNER PLATE JELLYFISH
Tipping Point, a series of works by Taiji Terasaki, is made in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Schmidt Ocean Institute works to advance the frontiers of global marine research by providing state of the art operational, technological, and informational support to the pioneering ocean science and technology development projects at sea.
The deep-sea is a treasure trove of mystery, and full of endless potential for discovery. With the mission of the Schmidt Ocean Institute in mind and environmentalism at the core of his work, Terasaki has created a series of work entitled Tipping Point, which aims to juxtapose both the discovery and disappearance of life in the deep-sea by printing the same image with gradually decreasing opacities on a cubed structure. Featured in the works are deep sea creatures including the Glass Octopus, Vampire Squid, and Japetella Octopus.
Tipping Point was made in response to the deep-sea mining bill that was discussed at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference–the results of which will have far-reaching implications for delicate marine ecosystems. Without proper regulations in place, deep-sea mining has the potential to eradicate ocean species before they’ve been discovered or fully studied. Viewing these panels from multiple perspectives as you circle around the piece is a way of visualizing loss while simultaneously envisioning the necessary steps to restoring a hopeful, healthy natural world.
Images:
Tipping Point Series
Tipping Point, Glass Octopus, 2022, plexiglass, wood base, 24 x 24 x 24", Original image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute
Tipping Point, Vampire Squid, 2022, plexiglass, wood base, 24 x 24 x 24", Original image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute
Tipping Point, Dinnerplate Jelly Fish, 2022, plexiglass, wood base, 24 x 24 x 24", Original image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute