When Rob Pistori told me his industrial glass solution tube had been chipped in transit and was heading back to the manufacturer next week, I didn’t care too much. Then when I saw the thing, and its gargantuan size, I was in awe. At eighteen feet high and six feet around, this crystal-clear colander could hold quite a bit of volume. A man could sit in it, comfortably. An extended pool ladder could get a person in and out. Then I got an idea: What would it be like if we brought this oversized drinking glass to the beach at low tide and I got in it for the night? The water would rise to near the top and it would be just me, my sleeping bag, a few provisions and a set of powerful lights. We knew of a sandbar near some rocks that attracted all the sea life at high tide. Rob lived right on the shore and was willing to lend his help, so why not? My wildlife magazine editor gave me a budget if I assumed all liability, and he’d publish my story if I’d come back with something interesting. It was late winter, no one would be on this beach. Rob had the truck and winch, and a small boat to pull me out if I had any trouble. What would I see, what would I experience if I spent a dark night underwater in this glass tube?
ABOUT THE ARTIST- Ara Hagopian’s debut book “What Happened to Vicky Lee? A Collection of Stories” is out now: http://vickyleethebook.com/
