Illuminating the Deep is a stunning 5,000 square feet exhibition that showcases the collaborative genius of internationally-recognized authority on bioluminescence, Dr. Edith Widder and her colleague and artist Dr. Steve Bernstein. Illuminating the Deep has been exhibited at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, Vancouver Aquarium, Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida, and the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta, Florida. In Illuminating the Deep, Steve and Edie have combined art and science to share some of the bizarre and wonderful creatures from our planet’s last frontier. Together, they explore how bioluminescence plays such an important part in life deep down in the ocean, and illustrate the beauty of the marine life that inhabits the deep sea through vivid works of art. One such piece of art is a life-size image of the Giant Squid, filmed for the first time in its natural habitat by Edie.

The ocean is the largest and least known ecosystem on the planet. It covers 71% of the earth’s surface, yet we have only explored 5% of this vast water world. In just the small amount of ocean we have explored, we’ve already seen that it is inhabited by some of the most bizarre and fantastic creatures you can imagine, such as the giant squid, an animal so mysterious and elusive that it was long thought to be a myth. We now know the Giant Squid is real and they inhabit a fantastic realm filled with amazing creatures, many of which make their own light. However, we are endangering the ocean and creatures like the giant squid. Through pollution and runoff, overfishing and bottom trawling, we are not only threatening the sea life and ocean environment but our own well-being. We rely on the ocean just as much as it relies on us. It’s up to everyone to make a difference.