Within the world we occupy, light fills the void between source and object. Light becomes a primary catalyst for the way we negotiate the physical world. The physical world is experienced through events, and the order of events establishes our perception of time. Through light's material traits, it is able to alter the events that occur in space. These material characteristics are atmosphere, color, intensity, and presence. Light tangentially affects memory creation because perception of time requires the function of memory. In addition, light is able to engage memory through spatial manipulation. By manipulating the specific light environment of a space, a viewer can recall other memories to further integrate the current experience with past events. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

Scientific evidence that the ocean plastic crisis is larger in scale and more sinister than previously thought continues to mount, but the rate of plastic production is only rising. What will it take to decisively turn the tide against plastic? We need scientists, politicians, and industry changemakers to continue producing knowledge and positive change in the industry, but we need to go further still. This thesis explores art as an alternative visual communication strategy with the capacity to encourage curiosity, empathy, and positive engagement with the issue of ocean plastics. The series of work explores bacterial bioluminescence as an artistic medium in juxtaposition with objects of found ocean plastic. The photographs in the series build on the concepts of mutualism, illumination, critical densities, and interspecies communication to reimagine how we might further the discourse around ocean plastic.