Habitats - Vicki Gunter - In Hot Water: Canary and Elephant Series, 2014

Clay, Stains, Underglaze, Glaze, Antique Bailing Wire Handle
Teapot 10 x 11 x 5.5 inches
Cups 4 x 3 x 4-6 inches

In Hot Water represents the 70-80% of Coral reefs that are bleaching globally. 

Reasons include:

·       Global warming: Ocean temperatures are warming to levels in which coral cannot survive. Sea water acidifies (CO2 + Sea water = carbonic acid) and coral bleaching occurs. The corals white skeleton is revealed as it dies. 

·       Unsustainable fishing: Overfishing. Physical damage from equipment. Aquarium trade.

·       Pollution from agricultural runoff, deforestation, oil and chemical spills, and coastal development, which smother the coral with sediment, increased algae growth and toxins.

·       And of course, homo sapiens (people).

TEAPOT ANATOMY

The belly of the teapot represents brain coral (Diploria strigoga) and of course hot water!

The spout portrays our endangered California Hydrocoral

The handle is a fictitious hybrid coral.

THE CUPS are Animals that are dependent on coral reefs:

·       The seahorse cup represents our very own Pacific seahorse, Hippocampus ingen. In the last five years many seahorse populations have declined by 50 percent.

·       The Banggai Cardinalfish (commonly known as angelfish) is endangered because of its popularity as a pet in home aquariums.

·       Sea Stars on our west coast from Alaska to Mexico are dying in massive numbers from wasting syndrome.  

·        

Now for some good news: The fish cup, with the fan shaped cut out tail, represents the Goby fish. When coral is stressed by overgrowth of algae or seaweed, it emits a chemical that the Goby fish is attracted to, and it will chew away the invading algae and seaweed.

Tea anyone? Let’s try some uncharted waters!