Sea Cake is inspired from a birthday tradition and my metagenomic research of our local waterways. 

The Korean tradition of eating miyeokgook (seaweed soup) on birthdays originated from our ancestors observing whales grazing seaweed in shallower waters after they give birth. Drawing on this tradition rooted by observing marine creatures, I made a seaweed cake to reveal the family tree of the undescribed and unidentified microbes in our local waterfront at Bush Terminal Piers Park. 

Today’s DNA sequencing technology allows us to read and assemble genomes of these hidden microbes, yet most remain officially “unnamed” because they are deemed to be “unculturable” in the lab. Sea Cake makes their unseen presence visible to celebrate the invisible lives that shape our waters.