Emily Anne Epstein

These images, taken at the Barcelona Aquarium, represent an exercise in epistemology. They are the beginning of a long term project, documenting the experience of children taken in this peculiar environment.

The sea creatures live in false worlds, perfectly manicured with complicated lighting, plastic decor and very thick glass. They are presented with scientific information, with long names no one can pronounce nor remember, in order to educate people about marine life. However, when removed from this educational context- wonderment emerges. The experience of looking without seeing, without knowing, is the source of the joy. At such young ages, what sort of platonic ideals do children experience? Shapes? Color? Mystery? Adventure?

When do realize that we may never see the sea? At what age do we acknowledge that what we know, isn’t necessarily true? I will be traveling to more aquariums to continue this investigation- the
relationship between childhood, adulthood, joy and knowledge.