Little Show is a tiny little thing.

About Aquatonic

Floating under crashing waves and along whirling tides there are some creatures more awe-inspiring and colorful than what you see in a marvel movie. Cloud-like Immortal Jellyfish, able to revert to younger version and extend their life indefinitely; punkishly ugly Sea cucumbers able to liquify themselves to a primordial goo and reform; iridescent Mantis Shrimp, with legs smaller than a toothpick, able to break glass or bone, with a flick of their knee. But its nudibranchs or sea slugs, which to our group were quick to inspire. “I have come to realize that they are absolutely fascinating creatures," said Daria Bishop a sculptor at the BCA ceramic studio.

Costasiella Kuroshimae , also known adorably as the leaf sheep, is a choice example. Its likeness recreated by a member at the BCA ceramics studio, Ilaria. This animal, with leaf-like appendages, forest green with a neon blue border, that bunch around its patty-shaped body like a woolen coat, is able to photosynthesize. In a process called kleptoplasty the slug, after eating algae, sequesters the chlorophyll from its food to its own animal body. It brings a power normally reserved to the plant world into the animal one, and its existence raises into question our strict categorization of plants vs. animals.

Many members at the BCA ceramics studio, most of which shown in this exhibition, collectively became inspired by these spectacular slugs and other sea creatures. Their delightful ceramic sculptures and functional ware inspired this show and the start of this mini public gallery.

The objects shown here highlight the miraculous individuality, beauty and astounding abilities that are possible in the aquatic world. We hope that even this humble exhibition may inspire you to be curious of non-human and human counterparts we don’t normally see and be respectful of the world that we all share. All of us: slugs, humans and everything in between, want to express and develop our unique individuality and provide the undeniable if not already definable benefits we provide to our shared environment and culture.