While marine animals have many natural defenses, they are powerless against man-made threats of pollution, ocean warming, and over-industrialization. The Surfrider Foundation, in conjunction with Saatchi and Saatchi Los Angeles, worked with artists to create a collection of life-sized ocean armor sculptures meant to inspire viewers to preserve the ocean and the creatures that call it home. The message of the collection is simple: They can’t protect themselves.

The Ocean Armor exhibit will open to the public on September 15 and will remain at the Aquarium of the Pacific until November 15. In this preview and panel discussion on September 11, hear from the designers and Surfrider and learn more about the artworks on exhibit and the issues facing ocean wildlife. The panel includes designer Greg Aronowitz, a special effects artist, puppeteer, model maker, and production designer who has contributed to more than 200 film and television projects, including Minority Report, Saving Private Ryan, and CSI: Miami; designer Bruce McCloskey, a production designer whose work has appeared on the covers of Rolling Stone and Elle magazine and television commercials; and Matt McClain, the director of marketing and communications for the Surfrider Foundation and chairman of the board for Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit organization working to address climate change. The panel discussion will be preceded by a reception and followed by the exhibit viewing.

For more information on the exhibit, visit oceanarmor.org.

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This speaking engagement will be streamed live via the web. It's free and you can participate in the Q&A session at the end via Twitter. Times posted are in Pacific Time. Please note that if you tune in early, you may see either a placeholder image or another scheduled guest speaker engagement.