The Monterey Bay Aquarium
June 2001
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is my favorite little aquarium on the planet. It's incredibly well-designed, with a focus on critters that are beautiful and which evoke a real sense of wonder. I find myself moving through the spaces of the aquarium filled with a quiet joy. Most of the aquarium's denizens are local to the area, which makes it only more astonishing.
This may be my favorite room in the aquarium, though it's hard to explain why to someone who hasn't been there. This ring of sardines circles the ceiling of a little room, and they move so quick and lovely and peaceful. A friend called them kinetic sculpture. Sounds about right to me.