Crochet Coral Reef: TOXIC SEAS brings attention to the destruction of coral reefs by human impact and plastic garbage. Margaret and Christine Wertheim, along with other artists from their organization, The Institute for Figuring, have been working on this collective art piece for over 10 years. On view for the first time in New York City, the piece is made up of several large coral reef sculptures built using yarn, plastic trash, and other materials to creatively depict the colorful marine life.
Along with the large sculptures, there are also tiny, more intricate sculptures created using delicate techniques and materials such as fine thread, plastic beads, and yarn. A giant bag of refuse hanging from the ceiling is made up of plastic garbage the artists collected in their home from 2007 to 2011.
The exhibit is on view at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City until January 22, 2016.
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