Visit to Florestas Submersas - Underwater Forests by Takashi Amano

[Art]

Hi all,

I was able to visit one of my life's bucket list items over the holidays - Takashi Amano's opus, Florestas Submersas (Underwater Forests) at the Oceanario de Lisboa, in Lisbon, Portugal.




I'm going to post pictures and videos I took, in the hopes of giving you a flavor for what it is like. Although, I will not be able to capture the awe and wonder that you feel when you are fully present there.

Amano used to say that a nature aquarium captures an idealized version of nature. And, the goal is to remind the elicit in the viewer that same feeling of longing for nature that we feel when we stand in nature. Amano captured both of these concepts with this work.

I will be making posts with the images and trying to describe what they were. Stay tuned.

 

[techman81]

In a recent MJ Aquascaping video, he mentioned there are rumors the aquarium may be coming to an end soon. Definitely a great bucket list item.

 

[BenB]

I went. I ugly cried. Amano was amazing. My pics weren't that great. I look forward to yours.
Even when I was there in 2018 the exhibit was many years past its intended discontinuation. I hope they never take it down, but I'm surprised they haven't by now. Lisbon was awesome. I hope you had a great time.

 

[Art]

The Oceanario de Lisboa is a small aquarium, at least by my impression of US standards. However, it does a lot with what it offers.

When you enter, you can turn right into the Florestas Submersas exhibit or left to the ocean-focused permanent exhibits. The exhibit room is dark and has background music playing that seems to put you into an introspective mood. A hall way with vertical murals leads you into the main room that contains the 40 meter (120 foot) aquarium. The exhibit opened on April 21, 2015. Takashi Amano passed away on August 4, 2015.



View attachment IMG_1641.mp4

Facts:

• The exhibit is a U-shaped aquarium with a volume of 160m3, 40m long, 2.5m wide and 1.45m deep.
• The aquarium holds 12 tons of sand, 25 tons of volcanic rock and 78 tree trunks.
• More than 10,000 tropical freshwater fish of 40 different species.
• 46 aquatic plant species.
• It is the world’s largest “nature aquarium”, created by Takashi Amano.
• 7 million people have visited the exhibition since its launch.

 

[Art]

The exhibit feels much bigger in person. Please compare the people versus the scale of the aquarium.

View attachment IMG_1672.mp4

 

[Art]

There is a mastery to each grouping. Really makes it feel like each was created by nature and has been there for many, many years. Wabi sabi at its best. I got much inspiration from this and has caused me to think of a re-scape of my aquarium soon.

 

[Art]

 

[Art]

I've got quite a few more pictures but the above capture what it's like. To be honest, it renewed my love of the nature aquarium style that I had lost over time.

Although some sections are in need of some maintenance, it is a wonderful example of Takashi Amano's life's work. I can't recommend the exhibit enough.

 

[BenB]

Although some sections are in need of some maintenance,

The guy who did the maintenance on it was there when I was there, but he spoke almost no English and my 5 words of Japanese didn't get us far. I see what you mean about maintenance, but when I was there, there were areas where the stems were trimmed perfect rounded and flat. I didn't like it at all. Maybe that is right after a trim though, and then it grows out and looks more natural. With a display like that, different ares will be in different stages of maintenance. I'm not sure. I've seen the same in other people's pictures. So I'd prefer a little maintenance needed to some of what I saw. Perfect flat.

 

[*Ci*]

It must have been very interesting to see how different species of fish behaved in a vast environment like this compared to our small tanks … tighter schools? more confidence? What do fish do when they have such choice in where to go and who to hang out with, who to avoid? I could watch for hours!

 

[Phish Tank]

@Art Thanks for sharing these, I really hope i get to see it someday in person.

 

[BenB]

I love these 2 pictures. In our regular tanks, we never get to see these big swords grown to their full potential. I remember looking at them when I was there and thinking, wow. You captured it great and the fish school underneath is perfect.

View attachment 13075

View attachment 13077

 

[HarryL]

The guy who did the maintenance on it was there when I was there

Did you get to see the process? I wonder how they do trimmings in such a big tank

 

[BenB]

Did you get to see the process? I wonder how they do trimmings in such a big tank

No. It was closing time. He did it after everyone was out.

 

[techman81]

Did you get to see the process? I wonder how they do trimmings in such a big tank

Photos from the website.