Amalgamated Marine Mammals Of Marble
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Amalgamated Marine Mammals Of Marble

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Amalgamated Marine Mammals Of Marble

Over the Shedd Aquarium’s 80-year history, many additions and renovations have helped maintain its position as a leading global aquarium. Fortunately, the stately classical architecture of the original 1930 portion of the building remains largely untouched. This  architectural style provides some unity with other Chicago cultural gems like the Field Museum, Art Institute, and Museum of Science and Industry.

The Shedd’s Entrance Hall will dazzle those familiar with the efficiency of space pervasive in modern architecture. A towering ceiling, held aloft by marble columns, silently advertises the importance of the scientific field of marine life. Yet, this grandeur may blind a visitor from an equally impressive aspect of the Entrance Hall: the carved reliefs in marble of various sea creatures. 

The mission of the Shedd Aquarium is to provide the public with scientifically accurate displays of marine life and ecosystems. Despite this, there exists a marble carving of an aquatic animal so severely nonexistent that I never seem to make it across the Entrance Hall without staring at it. Clearly meant to resemble a dolphin-like creature, it exhibits a prominent bottlenose snout, horizontal tailfin, and large mammalian eyes. However, several other traits prohibit a perfect resemblance. It has gills, scales, and a large melon on its head reminiscent of a Beluga whale. 

This rendition of the dolphin reflects the antiquated first impressions of groggy sailors. Submerged and distant, a complete view in the wild is rare. Instead, these glimpses were supplemented with imagination and the attributes of similar animals. Despite the craft of its sculpting, with the initial 1930 building, why would the Shedd Aquarium continue to present this old, inaccurate rendition of what is now one of their flagship animals? In fact, belugas and dolphins were certainly well documented by the time of construction, indicating this was a purposeful design choice, not a lack of knowledge. 

This deranged dolphin could serve a couple purposes. Stationed above the entranceways to the aquarium proper, perhaps it is a benchmark of the progress of science. Rigorous oceanic study and documentation allows the Shedd Aquarium to educate the public away from the haze and hearsay that spawns such depictions. Yet, technology and time make knowledge inevitable.

The carving is worth more as a reminder that the desire to understand the world is foundational, rather than as an indictment of past ignorance. Limited accounts and communication did not extinguish curiosity regarding the dolphin, but perhaps contributed to it. This marble reminder demonstrates scientific progress, as well as the urge that fuels it. Sometimes, I swear it is smiling. 

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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