Saturday, May 20, 2023
Our friend, Peter, is a volunteer docent at the science museum. He told us that there was a new exhibition of art and nature that he thought we would like. It is called Exquisite Creatures. We were intrigued, then captivated. I highly recommend everyone go to see the exhibit before it leaves September 4th. The artist/collector is Christopher Marley (we assumed Bob’s brother) and here is a statement he made.
Among nature’s jewels, diamonds are generally considered to be the most desirable on earth. Why do we prize them so highly? While they do have limited industrial uses, diamonds are dramatically less essential to humanity than scores of other materials and organisms. Gem-quality diamonds are certainly beautiful (after they have been expertly working by skilled craftsmen), but in this exhibit you will see thousands of organisms and minerals that are at least as visually captivating. With about 165 carats of natural (albeit lower-grade) diamonds comprising this piece, it was one of the more costly to produce – yet will likely be the most unremarkable thing you will see today. So, why all the fuss about these little sparkly stones? There is an important lesson here: we prize diamonds primarily because others do – and perhaps this is a tendency we should reconsider. As you view the organisms and minerals here today, note what you are drawn to. What causes you to feel wonder, amazement, joy or intrigue? What excites you or primes your imagination? These are your jewels – and nature beckons uniquely to each of us through them.
There were many, many works of art. Here are a few. I realize now that I didn’t really take any pictures that included birds/feathers or butterflies. Whoops. You should go, so you can see these for yourself.
