Hook the Deep: The Hadal Zone in Fiber, by Michelle Schwengel-Regala

October 26, 2015 - November 20, 2015
Mānoa Campus, Commons Gallery

While serving as an artist in residence at the Department of Art + Art History, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) from 2014–2015, Michelle Schwengel-Regala has been creating fiber sculptures inspired by hadal zone research being done by the Department of Marine Biology, UHM. Michelle’s background as a taxonomist and science illustrator cultivated her interest in these marine discoveries.

Her installation presents a glimpse of life in the hadal zone, the deepest trenches on earth (from 6,000 to 11,000 meters below the ocean’s surface). The viewer will encounter waves sewn from pages of marine science journal articles and numerous species of marine fauna. Suspended in the water column, these creatures are sculpted of wool, at actual size, and in their accurate colors.

Many of these little-known life forms may seem familiar as they have land-based and shallow-water relatives, but the hadal environment exerts extreme forces, resulting in wondrous life forms with unique adaptations.

Image: Michelle Schwengel-Regala, work-in-progress. Courtesy of the artist.


Ticket Information
Gallery hours: Mon. - Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sun. 12:00 - 4:00; closed Sat. Admission is free. Parking fees may apply.

Event Sponsor
Art + Art History, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Sharon Tasaka, 956-8364, gallery@hawaii.edu, http://www.hawaii.edu/art/exhibitions+events/exhibitions/?p=1271

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