The Loveliness of Aqua Forest Aquariums

There is a branch of aquarium design that has come to us from Japan. Developed by the master aquarist Takashi Amano, the style is carried out a bit like bonsai. Pastoral landscapes, comprised mainly of  South American fresh water plants and fish are composed in large, seamless glass tanks, like landscape paintings. Schools of fish are placed in these underwater locations and move about like herds of deer or flocks of birds - closer to the way they do in the Amazon river, rather than the one or two of this and that tossed into a tank together like an episode of Big Brother. Lucky lucky San Francisco - Amano opened his first U.S. Aqua Forest concept store here. Even if you can't have one of these tanks made for your own home - visiting the store is like a surreal mashing of viewing old masters landscape paintings being morphed into living, watery versions. They are calming and noble, even the fish look really pleased.  And for us broke-ass art school graduates, not having to spend a dime to experience these fabulous objects is a tiny trip to paradise. Find them at 1718 Fillmore St.