Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project		Print This Page Email This Page

The Scottsdale Reef exhibition at Waterfront gallery, ARTscene Scottsdale, October 1, 2009 - Janaury 15, 2010!

Due to popular demand, Scottsdale’s contribution to the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project will be exhibited again in a new formation, and a new venue.

The Scottsdale Reef, hand-crafted by over 250 Valley residents will return to Scottsdale at ARTscene Scottsdale, 7144 E. Stetson, Suite 210 at Southbridge on the Scottsdale Waterfront, from October 1st to January 15th.  Scottsdale’s contribution to the ever expanding Hyperbolic Coral Reef was by far the largest and most spectacular in the history of the crochet project. Margaret Wertheim, originator of the community project, hailed it as “a triumph”.

Visit the Hyperbolic Coral Reef Scottsdale on FaceBook

Check out the new Crochert Reef BlogSpot

We invite winter visitors who didn’t get to see the project last spring to come and see their contributions and talents exhibited in the Scottsdale Reef.  If you saw the exhibit at the Gallery@theLibrary, you’ll want to see it again in a completely new space.

Hours of ARTscene
Sunday thru Wednesday: 12pm - 4pm
Thursday: 12pm - 9pm
Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 8pm

Based on the techniques of “hyperbolic crochet” discovered by mathematician Dr. Daina Taimina, the IFF has evolved a wide taxonomy of reef-like forms—loopy kelps, fringed anemones, curlicued corals, and tendrilled jellyfish—all made using hyperbolic crochet techniques. Over the past four years the Crochet Reef has grown into a vast installation involving thousands of models and dozens of distinct “sub-reefs.”  The Scottsdale Reef is just one of the viral outgrowths from this project.  Nearly 250 local residents and visitors contributed some 2,500 crochet pieces making Scottsdale’s the largest contribution to date to the project.

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef has been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and in February, 2010, Dublin.  It will also travel to the Cooper Hewitt and Smithsonian.

About the Project

A 2,500 foot-long crocheted coral reef exhibit featuring loopy kelps, fringed anemones, spiraling corals, and tendrilled jellyfish. Hand-crafted by 200 Valley residents in free workshops, in addition to countless others from across the country, the exhibit celebrates the craft of crochet and also raises awareness of the potential connection between global warming, our everyday choices, and the gradual disappearance of coral reef gardens.

Created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute for Figuring (IFF), the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project is “a woolly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft.”  The crochet reef has received worldwide acclaim through previous exhibitions in New York, Chicago, London, and Los Angeles. 

The Scottsdale Public Art Program is thrilled to bring the IFF installation to our community and to debut the Scottsdale Reef, created by more than two hundred crocheters, crafters, and volunteers from our community and well beyond.  Scottsdale is privileged to take part in a worldwide community project, and to also help bring awareness of the threats posed to the beautiful underwater gardens of living reefs across the globe.

Become a friend of the Hyperbolic Coral Reef Scottsdale, please visit www.FaceBook.com

Project contact: SPA_Projects@sccarts.org.

For more information on the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef, please visit the website for The Institute For Figuring:www.theiff.org