Oceanic Impressions: Cyanotypes of Cyanobacteria

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This project brings together science, art, and community engagement to illuminate the beauty and biomedical potential of marine microorganisms. Oceanic Impressions: Cyanotypes of Cyanobacteria is a collaborative installation in which undergraduate students, artists, and scientists explore Southern California’s coastal environment through the 19th-century photographic process of cyanotyping—using sunlight and iron salts to produce rich blue and white images of marine life. The result will be an original co-created work of art capturing both artistic expression and scientific discovery. In the form of a large-scale triptych, the work can be displayed in the research spaces of the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, capturing both artistic expression and scientific discovery. The workshop includes a public mini-lecture on marine drug discovery, a cyanotype demonstration, and reflective discussion..
Participants will engage with local marine cyanobacteria—microscopic and macroscopic photosynthetic organisms that thrive in coastal waters and produce unique chemical compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. Under the guidance of Dr. Avalon (https://www.neavalonlab.com), a marine natural products chemist and Assistant Professor in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, students will learn about the role of these secondary metabolites in chemical ecology and human health. They will then work alongside artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter (https://www.orianapoindexter.com) to visualize these organisms through cyanotype printing, a non-toxic and environmentally friendly technique that reveals the striking shapes and structures of specimens or natural materials in shades of Prussian blue and white.
Students from diverse majors will collaborate in the creation of three collective prints. The final piece will be composed of cyanotypes created by the student participants, arranged to reflect themes of connection, resilience, and healing from the coastal environment. Scientific observation and artistic composition will be presented side-by-side—demonstrating how art can deepen our understanding of complex ecological systems and enhance appreciation for marine biodiversity. The session is designed not only to teach cyanotyping as a medium, but to encourage critical reflection on ocean health, environmental stewardship, and the interdependence of natural and human systems.
This project exemplifies artistic excellence by merging process-based photography with emerging marine science, offering students a platform to participate in both cultural creation and scientific inquiry. It fosters interdisciplinary learning, encourages cross-campus participation, and culminates in a public art installation that inspires conversation about sustainability, science, and the sea.

Illuminations: The Chancellor's Arts & Culture Initiative | Website | View More Events

Nicole E. Avalon, PhD, MPAS, PA-C

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