Wildest Imaginings Exhibit
Sausalito Center for the Arts
A month before the breathtaking news of global seafood company, Nueva Pescanova, withdrawing its plans to start the world’s first industrial commercial octopus farming, as part of our octopus’ campaign, we invited artists from around the world to feature works inspired by these bewitching alien familiars in all their genius. Our June 28 “Wildest Imaginings” event was held at the Sausalito Center for the Arts, where amid the art exhibit, a film illuminated both the emotionally stirring and gorgeous soul of the octopus, and the fierce argument against their exploitation as sentient individuals who dream.
The artwork was expressive of a passionate looking, the very essence of art—the coexistence of beauty and terror and conscience. The arts, luminous and piercing, are necessary for cultural transformation. And B.A.B.E. Catering’s exquisite trays of vegan ocean-themed food, dazzlingly presented, caused jolts of excitement and utter joy throughout the community gallery. These audaciously sublime tastes reflected the pure pleasure of being part of something that mattered. We invite you to relive these artists’ mesmerizing, watery hidden depths, including works by Bay Area artists represented by Waterfront Wonders.
By Tonja Sturdevant, Bianca Blum, Maddie Mack, Carmen Joseph, Noam Oxman, Lorna Newlin-Sausalito Pottery, Jay Brockman, Janine Wiltshire, Marie Loeb, Alessandra Mattanza, Linda Benenati, Amelia J. Zimmerman, Lance Glasser, Luna R. Paesch, Christie Janis, Jennifer Guajardo, Francisco Atencio, Darlene Darata, B.A.B.E. Catering, Moby Dick, and Michelle Fulton. @2026
Behind the Bars:
Captivity, The Zoo, The Observers
After years of avoiding zoos, we decided to visit one. Our intention was to raise awareness among visitors about the suffering of animals held captive for our benefit, our entertainment.
The photographs capture their distress being on display juxtaposed with the visitors' detachment from their suffering: Signs of distress in animals, stripped of their autonomy, often manifest as boredom, leading to compulsive behaviors or stereotypies, which are endlessly repeated movements like pacing, rocking, head bobbing, or excessive grooming. These behaviors are indicators of the mental effects of being confined, where animals are deprived of natural stimulation and living in the wild. We chose to photograph from within the captivity, highlighting the disconnect of humans.
A lack of empathy for non-human animals often results in an inability and indifference to recognize or respond to their suffering. This detachment can stem from cultural norms, traditions, misinformation, or viewing animals solely as objects for human exploitation or entertainment, rather than as sentient individual beings with their own intrinsic value and rights. We deliberately avoided using the animals as mere models and sought to advocate for their right to live freely in the wild and in sanctuaries.
By Dorit Jordan Dotan, Visual Artist, and Marc Perlish, Lens-Based Artist. @2025
Franz Marc (1880 - 1916)
"I am trying to heighten my sense of the organic rhythm of all things, trying to empathize pantheistically with the shivering and coagulating of blood in nature, in trees, in animals, in the air … I see no happier means to the animalization of art than the animal painting."
