Sea Oak: reflections on the role of art in bringing attention and understanding to seaweed

Abstract

An exploration of the role of art in developing awareness, engagement and action for climate and conservation in relation to seaweed, by means of a case study of Sea Oak - a sculpture by artist Paul Morrison at Scarborough Harbour. The sculpture is part of Wild Eye, an art and nature programme celebrating North Yorkshire’s incredible wildlife and coastal environment. The project is an innovative collaboration between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and art/science organization Invisible Dust with North Yorkshire Council. The Wild Eye project, supported by the North Yorkshire Council, aims to deliver long‐term sustainable economic growth for Scarborough’s nature-culture tourism market and to support public reconnection with the environment. Wild Eye hopes to foster a greater understanding of the amazing wildlife found across the North Yorkshire Coast through artworks and events, raising awareness of issues around nature, biodiversity and climate change. Measurement against these aims, like the project, is still in progress, but this case study aligns with research which finds that involvement with art has been shown to increase mobilization for climate and conservation action through raising awareness and engagement.