Oceanário de Lisboa x Takashi Amano

All about Massive 40m
Nature Aquarium

On April 21, 2015, the opening ceremony of the super massive Nature Aquarium created by Takashi Amano, measuring 40m in length, 2.5m in depth, 1.5m in water depth and containing 160 tons of water, was finally held at Oceanário de Lisboa in Portugal, one of the most renowned aquaria in Europe, and opened to public from the next day. This supermassive Nature Aquarium is a masterpiece created with Takashi Amano’s passion and creativity.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

Experience Nature Far Beyond Our Imagination

On the first day of public release of the temporary exhibition of super massive Nature Aquarium, a crowd of people eagerly waiting for the opening of the aquarium was seen at the entry gate to the annex of Oceanário de Lisboa.

The super massive Nature Aquarium is exhibited in this building. The scaly tiled wall and waterfall are impressive. The architectural structures including the main building are entertaining on their own.

The name of “TAKASHI AMANO” is printed under “FLORESTAS SUBMERSAS”. Mr.Falcato, the CEO of Oceanário de Lisboa, says the significance is that it is Amano’s work.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

Aquascape expressing magnificence and meticulousness of nature

The world’s largest Nature Aquarium created by Takashi Amano impressively appears as full scale waters in Nature right in front of visitors. Despite its size of 40m, the planting is so delicate in the massive tank. It consists of various kinds of aquatic plants as if it is in a tropical jungle. Amano states the concept of this aquascape as “Tropical Paradise” to demonstrate his passion for tropical forests. His challenge was to recreate the ecosystem in actual Nature. The tank is 40m in length with 160t of water inside, which contains 8,550L of Amazonia Soil, 20t of volcanic stones, 78 giant driftwood, 46 species of plants, and 10,000 tropical fish of 40 species. (As at April 22, 2015)

When you look at the layout as walking alongside of the U-shaped tank, you would feel as if you were in the forest underwater (Florestas Submersas).

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

The Layout is Like One Symphony Telling a Story

The aquascape invites all who see it to the varying views from shallow to deep water and from open space to a lush jungle. There is a story and the 40m aquascape is like playing a symphony.

When you pass the entrance, you will first see the shallow water with impressively attractive shades of green. Then, you will move deeper and deeper into the river.

From the right side corner, various species of aquatic plants form an underwater forest. Then, you will see a broad open space in front of you.

Once you pass through the open space followed by the driftwood covered with ferns and mosses, the huge clumps of stem plants welcome you. Open space and dense aquatic plants create a rhythm.

On the left side, there is a beautiful slope of colorful stem plants. At last, you will be invited to an aquascape resembling a lush jungle.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

Layout Expression Created by Meticulous Planting

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The colorful stem plants and their reflection on water surface are beautiful. The aquascape of densely arranged plants and detailed structures is still a part of the 40m tank.

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The style of arranging epiphytes on stone walls has been implemented before. The epiphytes and stem plants represent shadow and light respectively.

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The style of arranging epiphytes on stone walls has been implemented before. The epiphytes and stem plants represent shadow and light respectively.

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The philosophy of Wabi-Sabi represented in plants attached on driftwood is Amano’s true value. It will add a deeper flavor to the layout as time passes.

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When viewing from the water surface, we can see how various aquatic plants are arranged. The beautiful layout, which is meticulous to the finest details, is a distinctive work of Takashi Amano.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

Expectations for Massive Nature Aquarium and a Message from Takashi Amano

On April 21, 2015, the grand opening ceremony was held a day before the public release. In this ceremony, about 200 guests attended including the Minister of Agriculture and Sea, the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy and the Ambassador of Japan to Portugal. In the speech, Takashi Amano said, “I expressed a miniature global environment in this massive aquascape by incorporating underwater views and biodiversity I have encountered in tropical rainforests in the world into this grand work.” In closing of his speech, Amano said, "It would be my greatest pleasure if more people could have hearts to value nature through this aquascape." Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy expressed his appreciation to Takashi Amano and conveyed the expectation for the aquascape, saying "This exhibition will provide great opportunities for the promotion of biodiversity and tell the new generations the importance of environment."

At the opening ceremony, Takashi Amano told about the message he conveyed in the aquascape. VIPs including the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy and the Minister of Agriculture and Sea of Portugal (2nd and 3rd from the left) also attended the ceremony.

At the end of the opening ceremony, the music inspired in the origin of life (composed by Rodrigo Leão: the leftmost in the photo) was performed together with the visual images of Nature Aquarium.

After the opening ceremony, Takashi Amano was surrounded by the media including two Japanese TV stations, attracting both local and international media attention.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

People Return to Nature in “Florestas Submersas”

Welcome to the overwhelming world of water and aquatic plants. At the exhibition hall titled “Florestas Submersas (underwater forest)”, the sound of rushing creek is heard, accompanied by the soft background music composed by the renowned Portuguese musician Rodrigo Leão with inspiration from the origin of life. The exhibition hall is also provided with the benches and a stage offering a higher view to allow the visitors to enjoy the aquascape from their own preferred positions. The visitors appreciate the Nature Aquarium in various ways – some look into aquascape, some relax and enjoy the Nature Aquarium on the bench, while some stand shoulder to shoulder with the partner in front of the aquarium. How did the visitors feel about this world’s first massive Nature Aquarium? The great idea of Oceanário de Lisboa exploring the theme of natural environment will play an important role as a new spot that conveys the true essence of Nature Aquarium to the world.

At the exhibition space with background music and forest scent, the visitors can feel the nature through vision, hearing and smell. And they can make small discoveries.

At the exhibition space with background music and forest scent, the visitors can feel the nature through vision, hearing and smell. And they can make small discoveries.

Oceanário de Lisboa
Florestas Submersas
by Takashi Amano

Behind the Scenes - Daily Maintenance Works to Keep the Aquascape Beautiful

After overcoming various challenges and hardships, the super massive Nature Aquarium is finally open to public this time. Even after this launch, the maintenance of the aquascape continues to be crucial. As reported in the previous pages, this Nature Aquarium was created meticulously to the finest details despite its massive size. The ADA staff stationed in Portugal must perform maintenance works with the full understanding of the intentions of the layout. Takashi Amano visited the exhibition hall just before the public release to give detailed instructions on the maintenance to the staff. The aquascape is only about three months old at the time of launch and it will surely be more attractive as the aquatic plants grow. This daily maintenance behind the scenes will make the aquascape more beautiful.

A diver removing algae on the glass surface and cutting off old leaves is a scene unique to the massive 40m aquarium tank. These maintenance works are carefully done to avoid dislocation of driftwood and aquatic plants.

The staff receiving the instructions on the maintenance from Takashi Amano.

Maintenance work is done in and above the water simultaneously.