Yes, the Smithsonian has displayed a crochet coral reef, but it is not a permanent exhibit. The reef is a traveling artwork by Margaret and Christine Wertheim and the Institute For Figuring, and it has been shown at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., most notably in 2011–2012. This article explains what that exhibit was, how the reef is made, and why a craft project became a museum piece.
What Is the Crochet Coral Reef?
The Crochet Coral Reef is a large-scale collaborative art project that mimics the forms of real coral using crochet, a yarn-based craft. It was started in 2005 by twin sisters Margaret Wertheim (a science writer) and Christine Wertheim (a poet and artist) under the umbrella of their Los Angeles–based nonprofit, the Institute For Figuring. The project has two main parts: a “core” reef that the Wertheims create and a series of “satellite reefs” crocheted by local communities in cities around the world. Each satellite reef is unique, and many have toured to museums and galleries. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History hosted a version of the project in the “Q?rius” education center and in the main atrium, where visitors could see both the crocheted forms and the underlying mathematical ideas.
Why Is It at a Natural History Museum?
The reef is not just a craft display; it is a commentary on coral bleaching and ocean acidification. Real coral reefs are dying due to rising sea temperatures and pollution, and the crochet versions use hyperbolic geometry—a non-Euclidean shape that naturally occurs in coral, kelp, and lettuce. The Wertheims chose crochet because it is one of the few ways to easily create hyperbolic forms in fabric. The Smithsonian, which houses real coral collections and marine biology research, saw the project as a bridge between art and science. The exhibit aimed to make abstract scientific concepts tangible and to spark conversation about climate change. The 2011–2012 display was part of a larger series of “satellite reefs” that traveled to more than a dozen venues, including the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Hayward Gallery in London.
How Is the Reef Made?
The crochet technique is surprisingly simple in principle. You start with a chain stitch and then increase the number of stitches in each row at a constant rate—for example, adding one extra stitch every few stitches. This creates a ruffled, frilly fabric that grows exponentially. The more increases, the more the fabric curls and folds, mimicking the branching and swirling shapes of brain coral, sea anemones, and tube sponges. The Wertheims and volunteers use a variety of yarns, including synthetic fibers, wool, and even plastic bags and wire, to create different textures and colors. Some pieces are tiny, while others are several feet across. The “core” reef includes a “bleached” white section that represents what coral looks like after it has expelled its symbiotic algae due to heat stress—a direct visual reference to coral bleaching.
What Did the Smithsonian Exhibit Include?
The Smithsonian display included several components:
- The “core” reef, a large installation of crocheted corals in bright colors.
- A “bleached” white reef, showing the stark aftermath of coral bleaching.
- Satellite reefs contributed by local crochet groups from Washington, D.C., and other cities.
- Educational panels explaining hyperbolic geometry and marine biology.
- Interactive sessions where visitors could try crocheting hyperbolic shapes themselves.
The exhibit was free with museum admission, and it was located in the Q?rius education center, which is designed for hands-on learning. The museum also hosted related programs, such as talks by the Wertheims and workshops for families.
How Did the Project Start?
The Wertheims were inspired by a 1997 discovery by mathematician Daina Taimiņa, who used crochet to illustrate hyperbolic space. Taimiņa, a Latvian mathematician, made crocheted models to help her students understand non-Euclidean geometry. Margaret Wertheim read about Taimiņa’s work and realized that crochet could be used to model the geometry of coral. The sisters began crocheting their own reef in their living room, and soon friends and neighbors joined. In 2005, they founded the Institute For Figuring to manage the project. The first satellite reef was created in 2006 in Chicago, and since then, more than 20 satellite reefs have been made in cities from New York to Sydney. Each satellite reef is a local interpretation, often incorporating recycled materials or regional yarns.
Common Questions About the Exhibit
Many people assume the Smithsonian has a permanent crochet reef on display, but it does not. The museum’s website lists the crochet reef as a past exhibition. If you want to see a crochet reef today, you can check the Institute For Figuring’s website for current locations—they often have traveling exhibitions. Some pieces are also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History still has real coral specimens on display in its Ocean Hall, but the crochet reef was temporary.
How to See a Crochet Reef
If you missed the Smithsonian show, you have options:
- Visit the Institute For Figuring’s website for a list of upcoming exhibitions.
- Check if your local science museum or art gallery has hosted a satellite reef—many have.
- Look for community crochet groups that make hyperbolic forms; some display their work in libraries or community centers.
- Attend a workshop or lecture by the Wertheims, who still travel to talk about the project.
The project is ongoing, and new satellite reefs are being created all the time. The Wertheims also have a book, “Crochet Coral Reef: A Field Guide” (2015), which documents the project and includes patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the crochet coral reef still at the Smithsonian?
No. The exhibit was temporary and ended in 2012. The Smithsonian does not have a permanent crochet reef on display, but it occasionally hosts other fiber-art installations.
Why is crochet used instead of knitting or other crafts?
Crochet is uniquely suited because it allows you to add stitches easily, which is necessary to create hyperbolic shapes. Knitting can do it, but crochet is simpler for increasing at a constant rate. The Wertheims chose crochet for this mathematical reason, not just tradition.
Can I make my own hyperbolic crochet?
Yes. The basic pattern is simple: chain a foundation, then in each row, work two stitches into every stitch (or increase at a regular rate). The more increases, the more ruffled the result. Many free patterns are available online, and the Institute For Figuring has published instructions.
Does the reef really represent climate change?
Yes. The white “bleached” sections are a direct reference to coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures. The project is explicitly an artistic response to the environmental crisis facing real reefs.
Are there other museums with crochet reefs?
Yes. The Museum of Arts and Design in New York has a permanent collection piece, and the project has been shown at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Hayward Gallery in London, and many other venues. Check the Institute For Figuring’s website for current locations.
Why Does This Matter?
The crochet coral reef is more than a curiosity. It demonstrates how traditional crafts can communicate complex scientific ideas. By turning hyperbolic geometry into a tactile object, the project makes math and marine biology accessible to a broad audience. It also serves as a memorial to dying reefs, using yarn to preserve their forms after the real ones may be gone. The Smithsonian’s decision to host it reflects a growing trend of museums using art to address environmental issues. Even though the exhibit is no longer on view, its legacy continues in the many satellite reefs and in the conversations it started about climate change and creativity.
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