Visuals 11.16.23

JOSIE ISELIN

You’ll need to hurry if you want to see Kelp!, an exhibition featuring work by Josie Iselin, showing in the Gallery at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur until Nov. 21. This show centers around bull kelp, one of the foundational species of the ocean forests along California’s coast, and showcases Iselin’s scans, cyanotypes and digital map-collages. Iselin’s work is paired with Lina Prairie’s baskets made of kelp and Leila Ayad’s ceramics, glazed with the tests (shells) of purple sea urchin that feed on bull kelp – a trio of artists devoted to, and inspired by, bull kelp. “Nereocystis is the dominant canopy-creating kelp of the north Pacific,” wrote Iselin, also the author of The Curious World of Seaweed. Nereocystis is an annual, growing almost a foot a day during the longer days of springtime, a feat of photosynthetic magnificence. [AP]

MICHAEL KENNA

Visit the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel to see Michael Kenna, Collecting Light, Photographs 1973-2023, a solo exhibition on display until Dec. 10. In celebration of Kenna’s 50th year as a photographer, CPA partnered with Nazraeli Press to create this retrospective exhibition, which includes some of the artist’s most beloved images as well as some that may not be as familiar. An artist talk takes place at 3pm on Saturday, Nov. 18 in Carpenter Hall at the Sunset Center in Carmel. A reception and book signing of Michael Kenna: Photographs and Stories happens from 4-6pm also on Nov. 18 at the CPA gallery. Seated tickets are sold out; stand-room tickets will be available at the door for $10. [AP]