Lucy Orta’s Artistic residency.
Today I’ve explored Arina Antonova’s library for glazes that best represent the colors of Monachus monachus.
Monachus monachus is a species of seal endemic to the Mediterranean.
During online meetings with @mar.lands scientific advisors, we discussed the monk seal, which occupied a special place in Mediterranean culture, myths, and folklore, in the economy, medicine, and science. It saw a significant decline in antiquity; the more recent deliberate killing by fishermen and the destruction of natural habitats has pushed the marine mammal to the verge of extinction, with around 400 couples recorded across the Mediterranean.
We also collected various ceramic pieces from around the studio to reflect on the scale of the necklace, which will be part of the “Red Colar”.
Taking inspiration from Phocaea coins (600 BC) depicting the monk seal swimming with strings of pearls, I am creating a long continuous chain comprised of 30 Corallium rubrum (red coral branches),
Instead of pearls, red coral, glass spheres, and pieces of marine debris will form a one-meter chain.
