Old Man of the Sea in a World of Wounds

The coelacanth, a prehistoric fish with an evolutionary history dating back approximately 400 million years, was believed to have gone extinct around 66 million years ago. However, in 1938, it was ‘re-discovered’, seemingly little changed from its prehistoric ancestors, giving rise to ecohorror narratives in pop culture. By retelling the story of this enduring survivor through a sea monster tale, within the context of the ongoing sixth mass extinction, this project encourages contemplation of the monstrosities that the Anthropocene is ushering in. Monsters signify gaps in human knowledge, control, and certainty. Their creation can be seen as a way to establish a sense of predictability, aiding the desire to navigate unfamiliar territories safely. How do the monsters emerging in the Anthropocene affect our understanding of safety and survival?