Forager Species 4

About Forage Species IV

The objective of Forage Species IV is to give learners and our community a deeper perspective on critical ‘feeder species’ in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). Learners will help the artist model a life-sized school of Pacific Sardines (Sardinops sagax) using their hands and imagination to capture the kinetic movement and schooling dynamics of one of the most vital keystone species in the ocean.

In the background, learners will also explore visual presentations on the historical sardine fishery in Monterey Bay, climate-driven migration shifts, and the profound effects on marine life including seabirds, pinnipeds, dolphins, and whales.

STEM into STEAM: Four-Part Lobby Sculpture Build

Forage IV is a collaborative four-part build for a major hanging sculpture suspended from the ceiling halo in the main lobby of The 418 Project. Each day will focus on building the piece, shaping the fish, and discussing the ecological relationships of forage species. Learners will be asked to write up their takeaways from the build once it is completed.

• Texturing 560 Pacific Sardines made of light aluminum, using hammers and specialty tools to shape the individual fish.
• Creating the wire armature that will shape and hold the swirling school.
• Hanging the sculpture from the halo suspended from the ceiling of the main lobby.

Through a STEAM approach (combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), students work in focused collaborative teams:

• Texture Teams: Hammering organic contours and light-catching features onto nearly 600 aluminum sardines, crafting the distinct personality of each fish.
• Wire Teams: Working the structural wire armature and attaching the fish to the lead wire matrix that becomes the sculpture itself.
• Hang Teams: Assisting the artist in suspending and securing the armature from the lobby fixture.

Class Agenda & Build Schedule

Each of the build days will focus on the various aspects of the creation of a major public artwork:

• 11/4 – Kickoff & Introduction: A brief introduction to the Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax) followed by students breaking out into teams focusing on the build:
  • Texturing the 560 aluminum fish.
  • Working the wire armature that will suspend the school.
  • Attaching the fish to the wire armature.
• 11/11 – Build Day 1:
  • Focus on hammering the texture onto the fish.
  • Hanging and shaping the armature from the fixture.
  • Wiring the fish to the armature.
• 11/18 – Build Day 2:
  • Continue process of creating the fish, the armature, and the wire.
• 12/02 – Build Day 3:
  • Teams continue to texture fish and attach them to the wire that will hold them.
  • Sculpture takes shape.
• 12/09 – Build Day 4:
  • Student teams continue to work on the fish, the hang, and the wire.

Finishing & Public Reveal

Continued build as needed by the artist, and any students that wish to participate. The build window is tight and any finish work remaining after the student build days will be accomplished by the artist. Student participation in this finishing stage is welcome and can be arranged with parental, 418, and artist approvals.

*Project to be revealed to the public at a date to be determined by 418 management.

About the Artist & STEAM Instructor: Edward Martinez III

Edward Martinez III is an environmental sculptor, designer, serial entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with nearly 4,000 individual pieces created since 2012 from reclaimed materials and metals. His credits include featured installations at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) and The 418 Project. He has been featured at the prestigious Palo Alto and River Art Festivals, The Tannery Arts Center, numerous Maker’s Faires, and Santa Cruz County art galleries. Edward also has major permanent works installed in commercial sites across the country, and private collections throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.