Craft in Action: Invasion of the Biosphere by Synthetic Polymers
This event was live streamed on April 16, 2021.
Craft in Action is back, and just in time for Earth Day! Take action by learning ways to combat the impact of plastics on our oceans. Listen in as Captain Charles Moore discusses his book Plastic Ocean, the ramifications of putting nature on a plastic diet, and the revolutionary changes necessary to bring the plastic plague to an end.
In 1997, Captain Moore was returning to Southern California from the Los Angeles-Hawaii Transpac race in the North Pacific Ocean. Along the way, he and his crew sighted sporadic plastic debris floating on the surface. As a result, his research changed focus to understand the plastic era impact on our oceans and marine life.
This talk is presented in conjunction with the Craft in America Center exhibition Making Waves: Ocean Ecology & Craft, on view through August 21, 2021. Craft in America’s initiative: Craft in Action, is a series of talks using art as a channel to build awareness and activate for social good. This event was live streamed on April 16th, 2021.
About the speaker:
A third generation resident of Long Beach, California, Captain Charles Moore attended the University of California at San Diego where he majored in chemistry and Spanish. After founding Long Beach Organic to fight urban runoff with organic community gardens, and Algalita Marine Research and Education to restore the giant kelp forests of Southern California, he launched his purpose designed, Oceanographic research vessel, Alguita, in Hobart, Tasmania in 1995.
Oceanographic Research Vessel Alguita and its Captain found their true calling in 1997 on a return voyage from Hawaii. Captain Moore veered from the usual sea route and came across a virtual garbage dump in the middle of the ocean. His book, Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain’s Chance Discovery Launched a Determined Quest to Save the Oceans, details his encounter of the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch. He has appeared on numerous television shows and documentaries, including “Trashed,” narrated by academy award winner Jeremy Irons. Captain Moore continues to tour the globe sparking “The Great Plastics Awakening.”
This project is supported by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, www.culturela.org.
Additional support for the Craft in America Center is provided by the California Arts Council, a state agency (learn more at www.arts.ca.gov) and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture (www.lacountyarts.org).