MIAMI
3D Coral Reef Game
Take a look at the process of building our reef using paper maché, 3D Printing, and crochet. See our“Thrive or Die” game, where daily choices impact the reef!
Thrive or Die?: A Coral Reef Game. Audiences gather around a coral reef made from 3D printed corals, crocheted corals, and other hand-made objects to play a game of chance and choice connecting on-land actions with off-shore impact.
Are you a friend or foe? Will the reef thrive or die?
Goal 𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
To help audiences see and experience how their choices on land directly impact the health of the coral reef community living (and dying) off the coast of Miami.
Process 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Our producing partner Live Arts Miami (LAM) @ Miami-Dade College pulled together several environmental groups to brainstorm with us. IIdeas ranged from a “Greenwashing Monster” to a self-serve site allowing people to reflect on their local experiences with nature. In this case, our partner at (LAM) felt they had the resources and people-power they needed to develop another idea that came up in conversation: the Coral Reef Game. LAM had been interested in partnering with the Miami-Dade Makers Lab for some time; this game turned out to be the perfect opportunity. LAM also found important stakeholders at the Earth Ethics Institute on campus, who took the lead in designing many of the rules for the game.
PearlDamour and representatives from LAM, Rescue a Reef and Ocean Conservancy developed the rules and tools for the game, specifically two sets of cards, one called “FRIEND” and one called “FOE”. Initially, we though the game would be played by two teams, who could choose to play a “Friend” or “Foe” card and roll dice to determine “level of impact” leading to changes in the reef.
Katie and Lisa then tested a prototype deck of cards, filming the results for the team (yes, hilarity did ensue!)
We regrouped with the team to adjust the rules, including getting rid of the dice-rolling as it seemed to complicate things too much.
In the meantime, the Makers Lab was printing 3-D corals based on images provided by Rescue a Reef. LAM also recruited Debora Rosental, a fiber artist, who mobilized a group of artists to crochet colorful corals and bleached corals.
Stephen Nesvacil from the Earth Ethics institute volunteered to make platform for the corals. Along with healthy fish, sick fish and a coral reef “Health O Meter”. Two art students also got involved, creating an “algae bloom” out of yarn, and performing as the game’s emcees.
When PearlDamour arrived in Miami for the show, we joined in to put all the pieces together. When we added the final ingredient - the audience - the game transformed into something very different, with individuals coming up and playing a single card to change the reef. This allowed many people to participate, and there was always a lively crowd around the game.
Partners 𓇢𓆸
Makers Lab, Miami-Dade College, Rescue a Reef, Ocean Conservancy, Clean Miami Beach, Earth Ethics Institute
Magical Moments During our Process
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Magical Moments During our Process ☁︎
Walking into the maker’s lab at Miami Dade College and seeing the incredible coral reef students and faculty had built, complete with tables of shimmering 3D printed healthy corals. Before we started devising the action of the game together, the head of the Lab led us all in a guided meditation about our relationship with the earth.
Budget ༄
PearlDamour: $250 to Live Arts Miami for supplies, Live Arts Miami contributed other funds from their outreach budget. In kind donation of materials and time from the Makers Lab, Earth Ethics Institute, Miami-Dade students and
