The Lure of Lighthouses and Dancing Waves

The Lure of Lighthouses and Dancing Waves features 34 photographs of lighthouses and waves by renowned and Emmy award-winning surf photographer and videographer Dan Merkel. Colorful and dramatic photographs are printed on aluminum to enhance the color and light of lighthouses near and far—from Cape Hatteras on the East Coast and Point Loma on the West, to Portugal and Australia. The images are coupled with breath-taking photos of waves throughout the world.

In ancient times, sailors returning home from long voyages told fantastic tales of mysterious sea creatures – giant krakens that could toss ships into the air, sea serpents dragging boats to their doom, and mermaids who lured sailors to their death. The myths of sea creatures and merfolk are part of nearly every culture in human history.

Twenty-five panoramic photographs capture mesmerizing lighthouse landscapes, evoking a strong emotion of place in the maritime world. For thousands of years, lighthouse towers and their beacons have made maritime exploration, trade, and travel possible. Symbols of resilience and safety, their lights tirelessly project out to sea, warning mariners of approaching coasts, shallow water, and rocky terrain.

Lighthouses illuminate a sea that is never still. Whether looking at the ocean from the shore or a boat, we expect to see waves. A transmission of wind energy across the ocean, a wave travels endlessly until it breaks onshore. How it breaks depends on how it meets the shore, and whether the profile of the shoreline is shallow or steep. The exhibition includes nine photographs of waves from around the world, which can accompany the lighthouses or can stand alone as their own show.