the stone in your mouth, 2024

The intertidal zone is a landscape marked by constant and extreme change, whose inhabitants have uniquely adapted to not only withstand, but thrive in such conditions. Chan considers histories of oceanic extraction and our relationship to living resources, believing that the ocean’s intertidal organisms are oracles which can guide our understanding of what longevity, survival, and endurance can look like.

What wisdom, memories, and technologies are held within the animal body? Chan created three sculptural shells in speculative stages of evolution that are inspired by how soft bodied mollusks have evolved to protect themselves. Her work references oyster, abalone, and mussel forms to explore ideas of protection, rigidity, aggression, and desire. The forms on display are vessels that both invite and repel, their tactile surfaces invite curious hands but also serve as a warning to not get too close.

Chan’s work explores the power dynamic of humans and the natural world, putting a spotlight on our consumptive nature which threatens our environments. In a climate that is rapidly changing and increasingly violent, what can humans learn from these animals as teachers to adapt and survive? In our ecosystem, what happens if the consumers become the consumed?

These works are displayed in the Cottage Gallery, near Parking Lot 2. The Cottage Gallery will be open Thursday to Sunday from 11am–3pm (or by appointment). If you would like to make an appointment, please email lap_programs@montalvoarts.org.