Offshore Forest

Steve Ryzdon, 2013

Entitled Offshore Forest, the sculpture is an abstract representation of the many kelp forests found in our local coastal waters. “I think a lot of the beauty in that park is self-evident–and hits you over the head it’s so beautiful–and to accentuate something that was already there. I thought we can all see this. So, I decided to select something that most of the residents of this city and the visitors of the park may not get to visit,” Ryzdon said.

Rather than creating a literal translation of what was around him, Ryzdon used his spearfishing experiences, weaving through kelp, to inspire the art installation. The sculptural character and the way light plays off the thick forests of seaweed acted as the foundation for the piece. “The most beautiful part of it (kelp) is how indiviual strands stack upon each other and move in coordination with one another, yet are also moving independent of one another,” Ryzdon said. “It’s mesmerizing.”