Free Form

It was our first visit to Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto, and I was excited to discover the many forms of sea life beneath the surface. The sharks and unfamiliar fish were impressive and, at times, even a little intimidating. Then we reached the jellyfish tanks, and the experience changed completely.

The tanks shifted through different tones of light while these majestic beings floated through what appeared to be an infinite space containing nothing but water. Their movements were slow and delicate, and I became mesmerized by the shapes and forms they created as they drifted.

The longer I watched, the more details began to emerge. Their bodies appeared translucent, yet certain areas were remarkably defined. Their tentacles were as thin as strands of hair. Internal forms curled like elegant scarves, while subtle patterns seemed to exist within the layers of their bodies.

There were many varieties of jellyfish throughout the aquarium, but these felt different. As they moved and continuously changed form, it seemed almost as though they were performing for everyone gathered around the tank. No two moments looked exactly alike.

More than fascination, I remember feeling grateful for the opportunity to stand in front of them and witness their beauty in person. Photography allowed me to preserve only a fraction of that continuous movement, but the experience remained much larger than any single frame.

I never get tired of returning to these images. Perhaps it is their uniqueness, their textures or the freedom of their changing shapes. Whatever the reason, they remind me how fortunate I was to encounter something so delicate, unfamiliar and beautiful that day.