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SunForceOceanLife: Walk Through Colorful Crochet at the MFAH

Katharine Stepanian
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Katharine Stepanian

Buzz intern Katharine Stepanian stands immersed in the orange crochet. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

As you step into the hanging entrance of the SunForceOceanLife exhibit at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, you’re instantly surrounded by a latticework of orange, yellow, and green crocheted walls, with shifting paths of plastic balls woven together beneath your feet.

Dangling 12 feet in the air in MFAH’s Cullinan Hall is a suspended maze of walkways created by Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto. Neto grew up in Rio de Janeiro where he learned how to crochet from his grandmother. As he grew older, he began experimenting with abstract forms of art, beginning his relationship with interactive pieces. SunForceOceanLife tells a story of how life is created, through the sun and the ocean. 

Eliot Aiman

Buzz intern Eliot Aiman explores SunForceOceanLife. (Photo: Katharine Stepanian)

Along with a team of 12 other artists, Neto crocheted SunForceOceanLife from scratch, implementing patterns of brightly-woven crochet and orange plastic balls to give the viewer a warm, inviting feel.  

Ever since it sold out on its opening day on May 30, the installation has been buzzing with visitors. A perfect summer excursion for families, SunForceOceanLife will be open through Sept. 26.


As you walk into Cullinan Hall, SunForceOceanLife hangs dramatically from the rafters. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

Tickets are $25 for an adult (19+), $20 for seniors (65+), $20 for youth, 13-18; free for children 12 and under. Advance tickets are recommended; the price of tickets include general admission to the Museum. Children 6+ and up may walk through the exhibit as long as they meet the height requirement (42 inches). Bring a pair of socks with you. See more details, along with a required waiver, on the MFAH website.

  • Walls of the exhibit

    Intricate patterns of red, yellow, and green make up the walls of the interactive exhibit. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

  • Crocheted walkway

    A photo taken from the underbelly of the installation displays the coils of crocheted walkways. (Photo: Eliot Aiman) 

  • SunForceOceanLife

    SunForceOceanLife hangs from the ceiling of Cullinan Hall of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

  • Exiting the exhibit

    Buzz intern Katharine Stepanian exits the exhibit through the trailing walkway. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

  • Walls of the exhibit
  • Crocheted walkway
  • SunForceOceanLife
  • Exiting the exhibit

Walls of the exhibit

Intricate patterns of red, yellow, and green make up the walls of the interactive exhibit. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

Crocheted walkway

A photo taken from the underbelly of the installation displays the coils of crocheted walkways. (Photo: Eliot Aiman) 

SunForceOceanLife

SunForceOceanLife hangs from the ceiling of Cullinan Hall of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

Exiting the exhibit

Buzz intern Katharine Stepanian exits the exhibit through the trailing walkway. (Photo: Eliot Aiman)

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