In order to provide another entry point for students at all levels interested in animation and marine biology, Visualizing Microbial Seascapes (VMS) will explore the same themes as the fall/winter program did.  This is not a continuation of the fall/winter VMS program.

This program examines marine environments and life from the perspectives of science and the visual and media arts, emphasizing animation. Marine life constitutes a majority of the biomass and diversity of life, and marine microorganisms play major, complex roles in global ecological processes. We will focus on these relationships and how human activity affects them. In the past century, humans have severely impacted Earth’s ecosystems, degrading habitats and over-exploiting natural resources. Some have termed this period of human influence the Anthropocene. We will explore ways that science and art can increase understanding of natural phenomena and human impacts on them, contributing effectively to solving environmental problems. We will learn how artists and marine scientists use close observation, analysis, and integrative thinking to communicate important concepts and values. We will experiment with ways to represent the movements, behaviors, and functions of microorganisms, as well as marine environments' larger structures. Artists routinely find inspiration in scientific findings; students will practice such research-based creative strategies to respond to and represent marine phenomena in drawing and animation.

Lectures will present concepts and terms unique to animation and marine biology and include creative works about and inspired by the natural world. Labs, workshops, and field trips will offer experience in marine environments and conceptual and technical skills with which to represent them visually. Through readings, writing assignments and seminar discussions, students will learn how scientists and artists can contribute to understanding complex natural phenomena, raising awareness of and mitigating environmental problems. Students will integrate their learning in polished thematic creative works.