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The S.S. Palo Alto Project began as a proposal for a new public ArtPark focusing on the sustainability of the ocean environment. Located off of Seacliff State Beach on the West Coast of the U.S., the idea was framed around a sinking ship: one of the first cement ships built for the WWI military efforts, and since a local landmark, beloved by fishermen and joggers. At one point, it had the potential to become a rallying symbol for the precarious future of California's State Parks, and the health of the world's oceans.

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The S.S. Palo Alto ArtPark was proposed as an aesthetically enhanced public space on the California coast, engaging transformative education, inspiring environmental awareness and promoting ocean sustainability.

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Over a ten year period, together with the University of California, Santa Cruz and State Parks, we set a precedent in social responsibility, environmental education, and ocean advocacy As a conceptual art project, students and artists are challenged to research new processes to engage the public in creative change.  Our “catalogue of ideas” offers sustainable solutions to a precarious economic and environmental situation. It is a symbolic place to visually bring together our private and public selves.

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Located off of Seacliff State Beach on the West Coast of the U.S., the park is already an eco-friendly attraction to four million annual visitors, and the sinking WWI military ship, a magnet. Since the huge storms of 2022, the ship is finally submerged, and creating a sustainable marine eco-system, as predicted.  The beloved 'Cement Ship', as it is locally referred to, still provides an educational, recreational, and artistic platform for students and researchers which for many years was spearheaded by my activity as a Fellow with the Social Practice Arts Research Center at UCSC.  The 400 foot long pier leading to the slowly sinking Ship , is now gone, but is now becoming a new reef, filled with no longer with art, but an active nursery for great white sharks. It seems fitting that nature has triumphed over man.