Not to be missed! The South Florida Museum East Gallery is always changing, with new and exciting exhibits planned throughout the year.
Current and Upcoming Exhibits:
AMONG GIANTS
National Geographic Photographer Charles "Flip" Nicklin's World of Whales
"We've barely begun to figure out how to study the world's largest mammals.
The future is all about expanding our view of them," says Charles "Flip" Nicklin.
As a master of the free dive and skilled underwater photographer, he has spent much of the past 30 years creating a window into the world of whales, and other marine mammals including dolphins and porpoises. A temporary exhibition featuring more than 30 of Nicklin's award-winning photographs will be showcased in
"Among Giants" in our East Gallery, Feb. 9 - April 1, 2012.
By using his ability to free dive to depths of 80 feet, Nicklin has captured a glimpse of the largest creatures to have ever lived, documenting these animals in their natural habitat. The free dive is an important skill, without the large tanks and resulting bubbles, he can sneak into their environment without sending unknown messages; bubbles are a known communication method with some animals. Working directly with marine biologists, Nicklin has provided valuable information to them with his images. For example, Nicklin contributed to early humpback whale research by diving and photographing their undersides while singing, with these images, the biologists discovered that all humpback singers are males. His images have also illustrated countless National Geographic Magazine articles. Nicklin's work demonstrates that photography can inform science and be a tool for understanding marine mammals as well as provide inspiration for conservation efforts.
The dramatic exhibition images depict humpback whales, sperm whales, killer whales, belugas and narwhals in photographs taken around the world, from the Canadian Arctic to Hawaii to New Zealand. Many species showcased are also found in Florida waters. One featured photograph is a close-up image of staff and volunteers with the Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, a locally-based, world-renowned program, and Mote Marine Laboratory, releasing a pair of dolphins in northern Manatee County. Nicklin was on-hand during the release and featured the image and the story in a 1992 National Geographic Magazine Article, "Dolphins in Crisis."
Widely regarded as the world's leading marine mammal photographer, Flip Nicklin grew up around his father's small dive shop on the California coast. He went on to become National Geographic's premiere whale photographer and marine mammal specialist. Over the last quarter century, Nicklin has photographed more than thirty species of whales and dolphins, some so endangered their very survival is in question. In 2001, he co-founded Whale Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and public education. Nicklin has authored and co-authored several books including "Among Giants, A Life with Whales," a 192-page photo essay and adventure story published in 2011.
Save the Dates and Reserve Your Space Now!
Two separate associated events will be featured in conjunction with the "Among Giants" temporary exhibition.
The public is invited to attend a reception to celebrate the opening of "Among Giants" from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012. The reception for the exhibition is free for members of the Museum Friends Program and open to guests of members and non-members for $5/person. Refreshments and light bites will be served and a cash bar will be available. Reservations are required and space is limited.
At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 in the Museum's Bishop Planetarium Theater, Flip Nicklin will present a lecture reflecting on his perspective as a photographer, his up-close experiences with the subjects of his images and the role his work has played in the study of whales and dolphins. Reservations for Nicklin's lecture are $7/person for Museum members and $10/person for non-members. Reservations are required and space is limited.
To make reservations for each event, call 941-746-4131, ext. 11
or register online:
Online registration for the Feb. 9 Exhibition Reception
Online Registration for Flip Nicklin's March 7 Presentation