How have attitudes surrounding the ocean developed over time?

The ocean has reflected societal attitudes, from utility to fear to leisure to abundance to preservation. I invite you to question entrenched attitudes or adopt new perspectives in managing the marine environment. Societal values and norms drive the collective perception of the ocean, forever influencing our personal experiences—the combination of these factors, behavior change, and how we choose to interact with the ocean.

The materiality of Portholes of Time—resin, vellum, light—stems directly from the research. Resin resembles the ocean with its translucent and glassy texture. Its versatility in applications such as boat building, underwater structure, and surfboard shaping make it a proper choice for this design. The selection of resin is an homage to my uncle, Ethan, who was not only an exceptional artist but also a fisherman, surfer, and board shaper, whose life and work informs me as a designer. Vellum is known for its smooth texture and transparency as well. Light is essential in the formation and maintenance of life.