“Tramares, Weaving Reefs”: A Science-Art Mesophotic Project
摘要
“Tramares, Weaving Reefs” (“Tramares, tejiendo arrecifes” in Spanish) is a collaborative science-art project, in which more than a hundred people, predominantly women aged over 60, from small coastal communities in central Chile meticulously crafted 600+ distinct woven art pieces blending ecology, geometry, and knitting to depict marine life inhabiting Chile’s twilight reefs. The resulting artwork has been showcased in 12 exhibitions across Chile and internationally, receiving more than 100,000 visitors. It has inspired crochet artists and enthusiasts in other communities and has become a powerful tool for communicating biodiversity and opening conversations on conservation. One of the distinctive elements of the “Tramares, Weaving Reefs” project is its focus on local species, particularly those living in the virtually unknown, semi-deep rocky reefs that have recently begun to be explored off the productive Chilean coast. Descending to depths below 30 m light quickly fades and becomes scarce. This is the mesophotic or twilight zone, where there is barely enough light for photosynthesis. In this chapter, you will find information about the twilight zone and details of the “Tramares, Weaving Reefs’ project, including its story, results, and evolution. Additionally, you can find photographs and recommendations for those interested in embarking on similar endeavors.