Presented by Long Prawn, Reef Design Lab and Open House Melbourne.

A designers talk and workshop looking at how we can support our marine ecosystems by considered acts of design, eating and waste utilisation. Open House Melbourne invites guests to a participatory, informative and enlightening river float hosted by deep food thinkers Long Prawn and designer Alex Goad. The workshop looks to inform and excite people about shucking their own oysters. Participants will hear about the cyclical and sustainable value of the oyster before making their own oyster knife from melted and recycled ocean plastic.

Alex Goad’s research and practice Reef Design Lab looks to help mitigate the increasing effects of human activity on marine ecosystems by creating 3D-printed Modular Artificial Reef Structures (MARS). The damage to coral reefs globally is a well-documented reality caused by a myriad of environmental pressures. MARS is designed for constructing reef habitats in tropical and temperate waters.

Long Prawn, through its ongoing research into creative and thoughtful eating, will share how some human activity can also benefit our marine ecosystems. Specifically, this workshop will arm the audience with incredible benefits of the oyster and other bivalve molluscs.

Just like the Reef Design Lab installations, everyone can positively contribute to the marine eco-structures by the choice of seafood they seek and through their actions following consumption.

Ticket includes:

• Return river cruise, Docklands to Williamstown
• Artist talk by Alex Goad
• Workshop: Make an oyster shucker from HDPE recycled plastic with Long Prawn
• Sea snacks by Club Kitchen – including oysters, of course!
• Oceanic refreshments by T.I.N.A. 
• Take-home item 1: custom oyster shucker
• Take-home item 2: Screen printed shucking cloth designed by Britta Rouse & Alexandra Nemarič
• Take-home item 3: Booklet including recipe, method and further information