Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean

Transformative Currents examines the historical causes and ongoing effects of the cultural and environmental devastation of the Pacific Ocean, and harnesses art’s potential to enact positive ecological change, both local and planetary. Covering nearly one-third of the Earth’s surface, the Pacific Ocean is home to thousands of interconnected peoples, species, and ecosystems—all under threat from climate change, industrial pollution, and overfishing. Works in diverse media by 20 contemporary artists are organized around the theme of ocean currents, which traverse the Pacific and suggest fluidity, interconnectivity, and collective responsibility. Each project addresses a specific issue affecting the coastal environment. Together, they highlight the interdependency of resources and the impact of local actions on global problems. At a time when the health of the Pacific Ocean is in a fragile state, Transformative Currents unites art, science, and Indigenous knowledge systems to raise awareness and improve coastal conditions.

Oceanside Museum of Art with additional venues at Orange County Museum of Art and Crystal Cove Conservancy.