The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef, created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring, weaves together strands of art, science, mathematics, and conservation. This beautiful installation has traveled around the world, and in many locations has been exhibited alongside a “satellite” reef created by the local community. The exhibit, along with the “Smithsonian Community Reef” created and curated by DC-area crafters, was on display in the Sant Ocean Hall from October 16, 2010 through April 24, 2011.
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The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef
The People's Reef
Credit: © The IFFThe People's Reef, a part of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef, from above. The HCCR was created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring and is on exhibit at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History from October 16, 2010 to April 24, 2011.
Ladies Silurian Atoll from the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef
Credit: © The IFFA piece of the Institute For Figuring’s Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef known as the Ladies Silurian Atoll. The HCCR exhibit was on display in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, from October 16, 2010 through April 24, 2011.
Crochet Jellyfish
Credit: © The IFFCorals are just one of the many marine life forms that can be modeled in crochet. Jellyfish, like the one pictured here, starfish, sea snails, and kelp are some of the other organisms that contributors to the Institute For Figuring’s Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef have created over time.
The Smithsonian Community Reef
Credit: Rebecca Bray/Smithsonian InstitutionLocal crafters who contributed to the Smithsonian Community Reef proved that there is no limit to the colorful reef forms that can be created using hyperbolic crochet techniques. Their wildly imaginative pieces are on display alongside the main installation of the Institute For Figuring’s Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History from October 16, 2010 to April 24, 2011.
A Rainbow of Crocheted Corals
Credit: Rebecca Bray/Smithsonian InstitutionVisitors to the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef temporary exhibit at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History saw both the main installation created by to the Institute For Figuring and the stunning Smithsonian Community Reef created by local crafters.
Detail of The Smithsonian Community Reef
Credit: Rebecca Bray/Smithsonian InstitutionDetail of the Smithsonian Community Reef, a local, community-created "satellite" to the Institute For Figuring's Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit.
Crochet Coral Reef Community Window Display
Credit: Photo Courtsey of Jennifer LindsayLocal yarn and craft shops were highly involved in creating the Smithsonian Community Reef—the local community’s accompaniment to the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit. The HCCR, created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring, was on display in the Sant Ocean Hall from October 16, 2010, through April 24, 2011.