ATTRACTIONS
Elephant Springs, part of the Fort Worth Zoo’s Wilder Vision project, opened mid-April. The $32 million habitat is a definite crowd-pleaser. And the new tenants seem to enjoy themselves, too. Photos by Jeremy Enlow
Elephant Springs at the Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Parkway, fortworthzoo.org
The Fort Worth Zoo’s Asian elephant herd, which includes a three-generation family, officially made the move into Elephant Springs this spring. The new habitat almost triples the amount of roaming room that was in the previous exhibit. Multiple, expanded yards, as well as the varied habitat, are designed to inspire even more success in what already is a heralded breeding program. A better quality of life for Cowtown’s magnificent gray herd? That’s the plan, thanks to multiple pools for splashing, spraying and lolling about, as well as more space to stretch around the water features. Noted worldwide for being a thought leader in elephant conservation and herd management, the zoo has also created new digs for the greater one-horned rhino just upstream, in a semblance of the geographic relationship the creatures would enjoy in the natural world. And because rhinos face extinction in the wild — possibly in as few as 25 to 30 years — the zoo is striving to further the survival of the species in another of its successful breeding programs. In 2012, the zoo celebrated a major conservation success with the birth of the greater one-horned rhino calf Asha — the first ever in Texas.
Here’s to more good news to trumpet about as both elephants and rhinos add to their families. Reservations for admission to the Fort Worth Zoo are currently required for all guests. See the website for more information and to buy tickets.
EXHIBITS
Nature Connects
Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817-463-4160, fwbg.org
It would be hard to find someone who has never had the pleasure of snapping together something from Lego bricks. To understand the scale at which such constructions become sculptural works of art, make plans to visit Sean Kenney’s award-winning exhibition. The New York-based artist and children’s author utilizes the unique art form as an intriguing way to introduce topics he holds dear. From giant hovering hummingbirds and floating bees, to bonsai, koi fish and a fox on the hunt, millions of Lego bricks inspire conversation about protecting habitats, ecosystems and the beauty of the natural world. It promises to be equally entertaining and inspirational to adults and children. Through Aug. 1
Kenney’s Lego brick birdbath is enlivened by a squirrel and redbirds.
Whether small or expansive, a grouping of Bee Cups allows hardworking pollinators to quench their thirst — and delights the eye of visitors. Find them at the Fuller Garden at the end of May. Photos courtesy of Jen Rose
Texas Bee Oasis
What do you call a collection of tiny hand-colored porcelain funnels stationed in a garden, ready to collect a few droplets of rain or spray from a sprinkler? An “Oasis” is what Dallas-based artist Jen Rose calls the groupings of the wee Bee Cups that she creates and then arranges. Blossomlike in appearance, they are intended to assist thirsty pollinators as they flitter and buzz about doing their good work. Rose’s installations range from an arrangement of a dozen or so funnels to a kaleidoscopic display of more than 500 set up to create an ombre effect. Learn more about her creative process and purchase Bee Cups for your own green space at jenroseart.com. See the “Texas Bee Oasis” in the Fuller Garden. May 27-Nov. 28
ART
Photography Is Art
Amon Carter Museum of American Art, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.,817-738-1933, cartermuseum.org
Pulling from its own stellar archives, the Carter’s new exhibition looks at how photographers pushed their medium to claim the right to be called artists. Items on exhibit include documentary-style work, portraiture and still lifes. Photographers include Richard Avedon, Barbara Crane, Gordon Parks and Alfred Stieglitz. Through Aug. 8
Richard Avedon (1923-2004), Clyde Corley, Rancher, Belgrade, Montana, 8/26/79, 1979, gelatin silver print
Sean Scully’s Pale Fire, 1988, oil on linen Image courtesy of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Sean Scully: The Shape of Ideas
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., 817-738-9215, themodern.org
The Irish-born American artist has been making art for nearly five decades, and this retrospective at the Modern puts the spotlight on his drawings, prints, paintings and pastels — 91 pieces total; most have never been shown together. But exhibiting them in one place will allow the viewer to see Scully’s evolution as an artist, repeating familiar motifs, yet using them in a fresh approach. Pale Fire, shown here, is an example of his use of an inset image within a large painting, much like a window. The exhibition is organized by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and will travel there after it closes in Fort Worth. June 20-Oct. 10
STAGE
Cyrano, National Theatre
Live Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., 817-738-9215, themodern.org
Amphibian Stage and the Modern present National Theatre Live’s production of Cyrano, a modern adaptation of the classic featuring the big-nosed hero; Roxane, the beauty he hopes to win over with his mastery of the sword and the pen; and Christian, the attractive but not-so-bright soldier caught up in this unusual love triangle. This radically different adaptation features James McAvoy (Atonement, X-Men) in a staging that’s beautiful, breathtaking and funny. Tickets available at amphibianstage.com. 2 p.m. May 19; 1 p.m. May 22
James McAvoy as Cyrano de Bergerac. You’ll have to imagine him with a big nose (no prosthetics are used). Photo by Marc Brenner