SeaGrass Spiral
2023

Keurboons River Nature Reserve – 34° 0′ 6.54 S, 23° 24′ 8.30 E

Cheryl Traub-Adler & Anthony Johnson
(In memory for Anthony 05/2025)

LandArt: SeaGrass Spiral – A Meditation on Renewal
The SeaGrass Spiral, created and activated at the estuary site in 2023, is an immersive LandArt installation exploring the cycles of nature, environmental fragility, and renewal. Formed within a dynamic tidal landscape, the spiral was shaped through close observation of natural rhythms—shifting tides, changing light, wind direction, and the fluid dialogue between land and water.
The choice of seagrass as the primary material is intentional and symbolic. Seagrass plays a crucial ecological role, providing carbon storage, enhancing biodiversity, and offering a safe haven for marine life. Its presence in the artwork underscores the importance of protecting these underwater meadows that quietly sustain coastal ecosystems.
The spiral’s ignition—using dried seagrass as fuel—becomes a transformative act. The rising flames evoke the myth of the phoenix, a powerful symbol of death and rebirth, echoing the estuary’s natural cycles and resilience. Through this poetic activation, the work calls for reflection on human impact, climate change, and the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
This project invites viewers to slow down, connect with place, and consider the profound interconnectedness of all life.