Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Monterey Bay Aquarium Receives Significant Achievement Honor

CONTACT: Jane Ballentine, (301)562-0777 x252

COLUMBUS, OH 11 September 2003 -- The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today honored the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California, with a Significant Achievement Award in the Exhibit category for “Jellies: Living Art.” Zoo officials accepted the award at the AZA's 79th Annual Conference meeting here this week.

The aesthetic experience of jellies is celebrated in unprecedented style with “Jellies: Living Art.” The exhibit combines live jellyfish exhibits with fine art installations to celebrate the beauty of some of the ocean's most delicate animals. Visitors encounter jellies never seen before in North America as they take a sensory-rich tour through galleries that explore the beauty and fascination of these delicate animals and the ways in which jellies and sea life have inspired artistic imagination.

Living jellies—including the rare flower hat jelly and blue jelly—are on display in a setting reminiscent more of a museum gallery than a traditional aquarium. Beside and around the large-scale live displays are art and installations by such renowned figures as Dale Chihuly, David Hockney, Ernst Haeckel, and Cork Marcheschi. The galleries include a walk-through swarm of living jellies, a wall of Lava Lamps, music, poetry and light. It's a new approach to nature's artistry in the aquarium's award-winning tradition.

The Exhibit Award is presented by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association for outstanding dedication to conservation issues, construction of exhibit space and replication of species natural habitats.

Note: For more information contact -- Broadcast media, Mimi Hahn, 831-648-4918 or Print/online media, Ken Peterson, 831-648-4922.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 213 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.