A new exhibition by Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom exploring Monterey Bay’s past, present, and possible futures
January 19–April 30, 2023
SANTA CRUZ, CA (November 15, 2022) — The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is pleased to announce Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales, an exhibition that brings land and sea together for a unified view of Monterey Bay and its natural abundance. The exhibition will be on view at the MAH from January 19–April 30, 2023.
The project features works from renowned National Geographic photographer-writer team, Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom about Monterey Bay. Lanting has created some of the world’s most iconic images of wildlife and nature, while Eckstrom is also a videographer and producer. “To us, Monterey Bay is one of earth’s natural crown jewels,” the artists write. “We know of no other place in the world where land and sea interact in such an extraordinary way.”
With extraordinary images alongside maps, archival photos, and interpretive text, Bay of Life is designed to showcase the wonders of the Monterey Bay landscape by highlighting the area’s unique mix of physical features and microclimates. The exhibition features iconic wildlife from mountain lions and peregrine falcons to salmon, whales, and elephant seals, all surviving in a region where endangered endemic species mix with cosmopolitan migrants.
“We’re excited to share this beautiful new work from Frans and Chris,” said Robb Woulfe, executive director of the MAH. “The photographs and accompanying narratives provide a space to engage in a dialogue about the interdependency of humanity and environment, while at the same time showcasing some of the spectacular scenery from our own backyard.”
Bay of Life celebrates a remarkable recovery which shows that damaged ecosystems can be restored when people care and take action together. That may offer a model for other places at a time when we need such stories of hope as we face new challenges of resource stewardship, habitat connectivity, and impacts from climate change.
The exhibition is sponsored by Bay Photo, with additional support provided by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz and Andrea London. In conjunction with the show, the artists have released an accompanying book, also titled Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales, published by Earth Aware Editions.