A Rare Earth Magnet

Thomas Barrow, Anna-Sophie Berger, Amy Brener, Ann Greene Kelly, Ajay Kurian, Anna Rosen, Judith Scott, Michelle Segre, Nancy Shaver, Sydney Shen, Adam Parker Smith

Organized by Brian Faucette

Our current cultural landscape is immaterial. Bookended on the one side by iTunes policy of replacing objects with digital access and the canonization of post-studio practices on the opposite end. It’s apparent this shift to the clouds is something larger than a trend. Those who desire to own, hold and manipulate stuff or things have been pushed to the fringes, creating a materialist countert-culture.

The following is an excerpt from a tripadvisor.com forum titled "The Demise of Sea Glass Hunting?"

gottabeach There is a posting today on Cruise Critic stating there are signs posted now at the beach by Naval Dockyard stating it is “owned by WEDCO and the taking of any sea glass is prohibited and persons will be prosecuted”.Is this true? Is this legal? Please tell me this is NOT SO!

Senior65 It would be interesting to know whether in fact WEDCO can stop all access to the beach. The fact that they have put up a sign doesn't necessarily mean that they can. Hope we get some further information, perhaps from one of the locals. I have the feeling that like other fashionable things to collect, this one will eventually run its course and the problem will solve itself.

KDKSAIL Think about it for a moment. WEDCO is a semi-autonomous non-governmental organization (a 'quango' established by an Act of Parliament--West End Development Corporation Act 1982) established to manage and develop the old Royal Navy and Canadian Forces military base lands returned to Bermuda's direct control. For all intent and purpose, WEDCO 'owns' the land and may allow, restrict or prohibit access to it.

sonnysullivan The sign says the beach is open to the public but it's illegal to collect the "natural" sea glass. No such thing as natural sea glass, the word for it is trash and there is no law against picking up trash off of any beach.

gottabeach Thank you, for looking into this, and all those who responded. My most enjoyable place to be...EVER...is on a beach with Seaglass...listening to the sound of Seaglass tinkling with the waves, the beauty of Seaglass sparkling in the sun, the feel of smooth time weathered Seaglass in the hand. I recognize there are many other things Bermudian but to me this experience is indescribably unique. It saddens me to see or hear of buckets of Seaglass being removed ANYwhere. Most Seaglassers have an unwritten rule...take what you "need" and leave the rest for others. A few "mermaids tears" to remember the sights, sounds and emotions when one can no longer sit on that beach is all that is needed.