Henry David Thoreau wrote, “This kelp, oar-weed, tangle, devil’s apron, sole-leather, or ribbon-weed…appeared to us a singularly marine and fabulous product, a fit invention for Neptune to adorn his car with, or a freak of Proteus…as if they belonged to another planet, from seaweed to a sailor’s yarn, or a fish story. In this element, the animal and vegetable kingdoms meet and are strangely mingled.”
The Cultures of Seaweed, featuring more than 125 works from over 30 lenders, is inspired by Thoreau’s musings and explores the allure of this oceanic “produce” from about 1780 to today. The installation includes paintings, works on paper, textiles, photographs, albums, decorative arts and printed books, and demonstrates how seaweed is always changing in its form and appearance, cultural and social meanings, and industrial uses.…