The Institute of the Arts and Sciences (IAS) at UC Santa Cruz will present "Weather and the Whale," a major art and science exhibition running from May 29, 2025, to March 8, 2026. The show features immersive displays of original scientific research from the Friedlaender Lab, alongside newly commissioned contemporary artworks by ten artists and collectives, including Carolina Caycedo. The exhibition explores how climate change affects whales and marine mammals, using video, painting, photography, sculpture, and installations to communicate ecological threats such as environmental toxins and sea ice retreat.
This exhibition matters because it models a novel interdisciplinary approach, bringing together marine ecologists, artists, and humanists to translate complex climate data into emotionally resonant experiences. By making scientific research publicly accessible through art, the project aims to inspire action on climate change and global climate justice. It also highlights the role of art in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public perception, particularly regarding vulnerable marine species and coastal communities in California.