"In Still Waters" Cloche/Dome Display by Chris Lee

In Still Waters, Chris Lee ventures beyond butterflies to honor the haunting elegance of the fishing spider (Dolomedes sp.), an often overlooked creature that thrives in liminal zones — between water and land, stillness and movement. Positioned in a miniature microhabitat beneath a protective glass cloche, the spider is preserved mid-pose, its long legs sprawled naturally over coarse-grained sand.

Surrounding the arachnid are curated natural elements — water-smoothed stones, dried flora, and a hollow bark ring — evoking a sunlit riverbank or forest pond edge. These details ground the specimen in context and narrative, speaking to the spider’s role as both predator and participant in quiet, interwoven ecologies. The piece is a meditation on hidden lives and the poetry of stillness.

Specimen Identification:
Species: Dolomedes sp. (Fishing Spider)
Range: Widespread across North America, Asia, and Europe
Traits: Semi-aquatic hunter that can walk on water, excellent eyesight, uses surface vibrations to detect prey

Display Details:
Display Type: Glass cloche with open round base
Base: Circular sand bed contained by thick natural rope edging
Surrounding Elements: Real stones, dried flowers, bark, and preserved leaves suggestive of riparian habitat
Front Panel: Fully enclosed clear glass cloche, magnifying the details while preserving the atmosphere
Presentation: Naturalistic diorama, centered specimen surrounded by context-rich elements to suggest behavior and setting