The Coral Gardener

As Arma.Dura - artist Armando Lopez-Bircann reflects on the impacts of tourism & climate change on seashores, with a focus on coral restoration and ways businesses, tourists and consumers can contribute to these efforts.

The performance features wearables and artworks inspired by coral structures and made of a calcium carbonate based rock paper. This material is waterproof, ecofriendly and would degrade like seashell would.

The 30 minute performance consisted of music, spoken word and actions that referenced coral farming. The artist’s experiences with ecotourism in the Caribbean was juxtaposed with the Asbury Park seaside tourism. Along with original music there was an ominous cover of Madonna’s La Isla Bonita, which gained a different reading with the other narrative elements of the performance.

This performance was created for Transformer’s Siren Arts 2021 residency in Asubury Park NJ. Photos by Sara Stadtmiller