Current & Upcoming
Lake Bonneville Reef
Where
The Lake Bonneville Reef debuts at the Meldrum Science Building at Westminster College. Stay tuned for more information about where the Reef will travel next in Utah!
When
The month of November, 2011
Cost
It is free and open to the public
Lake Bonneville Reef (LBR) is a collaborative, educational program focused on science, math, art, and environmental change.
The program derives its name from two parts: Great Salt Lake’s predecessor Lake Bonneville provides the background and inspiration for programming, while the international program created by the Institute For Figuring (IFF), consisting of crocheted coral reefs, is collectively called the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef. By combining Lake Bonneville (the science and environment) with the Crochet Reef (the art and math), the program offers a meaningful arts and learning experience drawing from Utah’s environment.
Using the techniques of hyperbolic crochet, we created a representation of a coral reef as it may have existed in ancient Lake Bonneville. In addition, we created forms that mimic the bioherms and other elements present today in the Great Salt Lake.
Origins of Lake Bonneville Reef
The Hyberbolic Crochet Coral Reef (HCCR) project is the product of years of intellectual research and development on the part of Margaret and Christine Wertheim. The sisters also co-direct the Institute for Figuring (IFF) which administrates this project.
The HCCR Project is an unusual fusion of mathematics, marine biology, feminine handicraft, collective art practice, and environmental consciousness-raising. HCCR developed in response to the need to raise awareness around the devastating effects that global warming has on coral reefs and to the discovery that hyperbolic geometry in crochet form replicates the geometry realized in the anatomies of many reef organisms.
Core reefs have been exhibited internationally over the past four years with the most recent site at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. In addition to these coral reefs, the HCCR project entails a community component in which citizens of local cities or regions construct their own reefs which are known as Satellite Reefs. Brolly Arts has been granted permission to become a Satellite Reef Site in Utah. The IFF also works with organizations designated as satellite reef sites (including LBR) to disseminate IFF’s intellectual property of math, science and art curriculum, and curatorial guidance.
Visit the Institute For Figuring
Community Partners
Friends of Great Salt Lake
Founded in 1994, the mission of FRIENDS is to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the lake through education, research, and advocacy. The long-term vision of FRIENDS is to achieve comprehensive watershed-based restoration and protection for the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem.
Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College
The Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College serves to identify key age groups, schools etc. to serve with projects and educates participants about the biology of the Great Salt Lake/Lake Bonneville.
Funding & Contributions
Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Funding provided in part by the Utah Arts Council Arts Education Program.
Blazing Needles
Thank you to Blazing Needles for yarn contributions.
