Jellies: Living Art

Thinking Outside the Tank: It is no secret that nature has been the inspiration for artists down thru the ages. So, it only made sense that the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga combine their creative and natural resources to enhance the visitor's experience at both destinations: Jellies: Living Art.

In the past two years, the Tennessee Aquarium has added new experiences, creating unforgettable memories for the Tennessee vacationer. In 2007 came Penguin's Rock, where I hear that love is in the air. Then, they began thinking outside the tank in 2008 and added the River Gorge Explorer. This year, they're thinking outside the tank again with Jellies: Living Art, inspired by the highly rated gallery at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

As Thom Benson of the aquarium was leading Monica and me to the exhibit, I was expecting more fancy lighting and fancy tanks filled with jelly fish. Instead, I entered into a gallery of paintings and studio glass interspersed between specially designed displays of graceful, pulsating life. Jellies: Living Art illustrates how the jellies and the arts share common characteristics of color, pattern, movement and rhythm.

We were first greeted by Dale Chihuly's "Macchia" series, a large collection of unusually-shaped bowls that the artist says remind him of the deep sea. (More about his other exhibit, the Laguna Murano Chandelier, in a moment.

Other Artists on Display:

Stephen Powell: His works have an 80% failure rate. Pieces that actually survive this strenuous stretching process have a retro, tie-dye look. Purples, reds and yellows are dominant his works.

Thomas Spake of Chattanooga, uses glass to explore the similarities between earth, air and sea.

Cork Marcheschi: Cork states that his work "is about energy, light and humor." His pieces are brightly colored and glow or light up, commanding attention from viewers.

The exhibit is a feast for the eyes and rest for the soul.

Outside the Tank Again: But the exhibit doesn't end at the aquarium. Just a block away in the Hunter Museum of American Art is one of Dale Chihuly's most popular works, the Laguna Murano Chandelier and other accompanying works. I admit that my wife and I were expecting beautiful glass hanging from the ceiling; however this was our day, once again, for surprises. See for yourself. The Chihuly exhibit is on display at the Hunter Museum thru August 9, 2009.

Braggin’ Rights

You know someone has had a fabulous vacation when they come home with braggin' rights. In the Smoky Mountains region that might include, "saw Dolly at Dollywood," "touched a stingray at Ripley's Aquarium," "hiked to Mt. LeConte," or "saw a bear in Cades Cove."

Usually, braggin' rights are documented with a photo and digital cameras have made the process so much simplier and cheeper. And now, thanks to the social media, such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, someone's brag can be heard around the world in just a few moments.

Sometimes, braggin' rights come in the form of the unexpected. (Can someone say Susan Boyle?) Last year while my daughters and I were waiting for a ride out of Elkmont, we met Toni, the park ranger. We were returning home with the braggin rights we came for: synchronus fireflies. However, it was our encounter with Toni and her inspiring story that made that evening an unexpected pleasure. Seth Godin might call it a "purple cow."

Last Saturday, some new friends from the AAA Auto Club joined me and my friend Walter for a short, guided hike behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center. There to greet us was our guide, Toni. She can really "wow" an audience with her humor, her heart and her perspective on nature and life.

Along the hike, a young lady out from nowhere with a book in her hand, caught up to Toni and asked for her autograph. (Gathering braggin' rights I'm sure.) Toni's story is now in a book sold at the park's gift shop.

Along the hike, Toni took us to the smallest waterfall in the park, Cataract Falls. One blogger called it "nothing great." Too bad the writer was not on Toni's hike. Someone missed out on a life lesson from a park ranger with cerebral palsy. She reminded us that waterfalls and people don't have to all be alike to be beautiful and useful.

That day, numerous guests on the hike documented their own braggin' rights: standing next to Toni in front of the smallest waterfall in the park. Two unexpected treasures inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.