Georgia Sea Grant 2026: Collaborating on Micro-Undercurrents

I am thrilled to announce that I will be supporting biospheric artist Dana Montlack in her upcoming large-scale multimedia project, currently titled "Micro-Undercurrents." Dana was recently selected as a recipient of the 2026-27 Artists, Writers and Scholars (AWS) Award from Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, an initiative funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Mock-up designs for what Micro-Undercurrents might look like.
Mock-up designs for what Micro-Undercurrents might look like.

About the Project

Micro-Undercurrents is an immersive, ecological artwork featuring interactive and educational elements. For this grant cycle, Dana is developing a multidisciplinary installation that explores the often-invisible world of plankton ecology along the Georgia coastline. By integrating scientific datasets, microscopic and macrophotography, cyanotypes, drawings, and paintings, she is constructing a layered visual narrative of our marine environments. The goal is to make the unseen visible through dramatic shifts in scale and material experimentation, ultimately inviting viewers into a world beyond ordinary perception that is foundational to ocean health. It is Dana's hope that this art creates an entry point for curiosity, encouraging audiences to recognize that these vital ecosystems are worth researching and protecting.

Scientific Collaboration

An example of in-site imaging from the ZERO-C Lab at UGA Skidaway.
An example of in-situ imaging from the ZERO-C Lab at UGA Skidaway. [Source: https://www.skio.uga.edu/]

We are partnering directly with Dr. Adam Greer and the ZERO-C Lab at the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Dr. Greer is providing high-resolution in situ video imaging of zooplankton across the Georgia shelf edge. I will be assisting Dana in integrating video imaging from the In Situ Ichthyoplankton Imaging System (ISIIS) with her unique, layered artworks, to create an immersive art installation.

My Role in the Process

Working with the microscopic video imaging shared by Dr. Greer's research team at UGA Skidaway, my focus will lean heavily into specialized video compositing, animation, sound design, and interaction design. These technical components are necessary to help translate Dana's layered artworks and Dr. Greer's motion imaging into massive, non-standard architectural format. Our current plan is to create interactive, web-based elements that will allow viewers to explore and learn about the images they see in the installation. I will also be stepping in to provide organizational and technical support for the project. I am eager to support Dana's biospheric vision with my combination of creative and technical skills!

Looking Ahead

This project will come to fruition over the next year, officially launching in 2027. The debut exhibition will take place at Georgia Tech’s Interactive Media Zone (IMZ) before moving to other venues. I am proud to be part of this project and to work alongside a inspiring artists and scientists dedicated to highlighting the connections between people and ecology along the Georgia coast.

More news to come as this project develops, be sure to sign up for my newsletter!

University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artists, Writers and Scholars Program Logo.

Acknowledgement Statement: This project was supported by the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artists, Writers and Scholars Program, with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.