[22-Feb-2024] Ryan, S., Ummenhofer, C., and Ehrens, D.
Presented at the 2024 Ocean Sciences MeetingMarine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme events in the ocean when temperatures are well above the long-term average. As global temperatures rise, MHWs are becoming more frequent, more intense, and can dramatically impact marine biodiversity, fisheries, and, ultimately, our coastal communities. The ocean off the Northeast U.S. coast has become a hotspot for such events in the recent decade due to accelerated ocean warming. 'Marine Heatwaves' is part of SYNERGY II (www.synergyexperience.org) - a collaboration between Art League Rhode Island and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Self-selected pairs of scientists and artists collaborate to create a 'common language' using the arts to illustrate and communicate science. Through extensive conversations, we examined the scientific and artistic process and were surprised and delighted at the similarity of so many aspects of our work. We spoke in-depth about the challenges of communicating big ideas and numbers in meaningful ways and how we all had to be compelling storytellers. The ensuing artwork comprises a set of 3D kinetic sculptures (www.debehrens.com/marine-heatwaves) created out of printed fabric. While the form captures the constantly moving and swirling motions of the ocean, the printed layers on the canvas aim to convey the thrill of discovery, the impact of Marine Heatwaves on biodiversity, and the complexity of our research, from data acquisition (now and in the past), coding to visualization and ultimately conveying a message. This collaboration has added new, enriching dimensions to our work scientifically and artistically.