There's a magical underwater land just off the coast of Westport, tucked in between some large rocks. Beneath the surface there is a forest of seaweed, all of the species actively weaving together like a living painting. I want to float there forever, with the tautog peeking out from the shadows, noticing how the different colors and textures sensuously move with the current as my body moves in the same rhythm.
Aiming to bring some of that wonder home, I've started to experiment with making paper, specifically for lighting. I imagine this will be a multi year process, learning how the different types of seaweed react to drying, lightfastness, and all that there is yet to discover. So far it's been really lovely to work with and makes a cozy underwater glow when lit from within.
Dead-Man's Fingers, Green Fleece, Oyster Thief
Codium fragile is a conspicuous green alga with thick, spongy, and finger-like fronds, giving rise to its common name ‘Dead Man’s Fingers’. It is native to Asia and has been introduced around the globe.
https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/species_summary/6897
Pulling sheets of paper. This batch I mixed with abaca pulp - a fiber similar to the banana tree. It just dried white so there was too much pulp and not enough seaweed.
Drying pure seaweed pulp. This was the most successful and what I made the lampshade from. It's sooo delicate looking but extremely sturdy.
My first lamp, made for a friend. I soldered together a copper lampshade with half moon shapes and added a led bulb. It glows with a really soothing soft light and that reminds me of being underwater.
