In an unusual marriage of art and science which also turns the spotlight on Bermuda's heritage, the National Gallery and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) have joined forces to present a refreshingly different exhibition that is spread over both venues.

While Dr. William Beebe's 1930 descent in the famous Bathyspere off Bermuda made headlines around the world, not so many people were aware that the American naturalist's undersea discoveries were faithfully recorded by artist Else Bostelmann.

Now, more than 30 of her watercolours have been placed on show in the Ondaatje Wing and the original Bathysphere has been (temporarily) moved from its home at BAMZ to the steps of City Hall. At the Aquarium, Mary Winchell's educational team has created a special `hands on' display for younger visitors in the Discovery Room and Lisa Green has revitalised the technical Beebe displays in the Museum.

The main exhibition, entitled `Bostelmann Paints for Beebe' was the brainchild of guest curator, George Peterich. Long an enthusiastic supporter of the Bermuda National Gallery, he says he "discovered'' several of Bostelmann's paintings in Bermuda, some of them at the Aquarium, and all of them since restored at his expense. Intrigued, his research with Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer and Lisa Greene at the Bermuda Natural History Museum eventually led him to New York where the majority of Bostelmann's paintings are preserved in the archives of the Wildlife Conservation Society -- many of them now generously loaned to Bermuda for this show.

Through the use of grey paint and screws fitted on vertical strips of lath ("to give it a `shippy' feel''), well known artist and exhibition designer Will Collieson has created an atmospheric setting which suggests the interior of the Bathysphere.

"This was quite a challenge, as a design concept'' he says. "I didn't want the decor to compete with the artwork, so I have deliberately kept it all rather minimalist.'' He points out that although the watercolours had been restored, there were no frames "so that was a major consideration. In the end, I decided on no frames -- just glass secured with the wedge part of dog clips. I believe the work stands on its own. And, in any case, this is very much an informational, rather than a strictly aesthetical show. It's fascinating to realise,'' he adds, "that nobody really saw the significance of these paintings until George saw them hanging around in the Aquarium and decided that something should be done with them, and so introduce them to a wider public.'' One end of the gallery has been given over to artifacts connected with the Beebe Project, including the original palmetto fan used by the naturalist as he and bathysphere inventor Otis Barton sat (in considerable discomfort) in the depths of the ocean -- "the only air-conditioning they had,'' quips Collieson. He is also fascinated by the heavy and cumbersome iron Diving Hood which he also has on show. "It looks very Mad Max,'' he laughs. "But apparently, Else Bostelmann used to put this helmet on to go underwater for her recreational paintings.'' Also included in the show are some of the actual specimens drawn by Bostelmann, Beeb's deep sea fishing net, as well as copies of National Geographic magazines of the time which also featured the artist's coral reef scenes.

Else Bostelmann was born and grew up in Germany, where she studied art at leading academies, winning the Gold Medal for drawing at the Academy of Fine Art in Weimar. On marrying her American husband she gave up painting, to resume it when she was widowed only 11 years later. In 1929 she was recruited by Dr. Beebe for his deep see research expedition to Bermuda. As she wrote, "Diving with the helmet and painting on the ocean ground were the climax of all previous experiences.'' Her task was to paint the specimens pulled up in Beebe's voluminous sea nets.

When the Bathysphere (a large metal ball suspended on a cable) was finally developed and in use in Bermuda waters, Dr. Beebe would relate his observations to Bostelmann over a telephone on the ship hovering above. Back on dry land, they would work together to produce the finished, highly detailed pictures.

Although William Beebe is referred to as `Doctor', according to Dr. Sterrer, he never actually earned a bachelor's degree. As he points out, however, Bermuda is indebted to the intrepid naturalist for placing the Island so prominently in the forefront of early underwater exploration. Beebe preceded the great Jacques Cousteau who, in turn, would eventually pay homage to the role played by Beebe in his `historic undersea explorations'.

Volunteers for the shows in the Gallery and at the Aquarium have trained together. Reciprocal discounts will be available at each venue.

`Bostelmann Paints for Beebe' will be open to the public at the Bermuda National Gallery, City Hall from October 19 through January 18 1997. Gallery hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free tours at 1 p.m.

daily on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

SPLASHING INTO HISTORY -- The `Beebe' bathysphere surfaces after its historic dive beneath Bermuda waters in 1930. (Archival photograph by courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York).

SCIENCE AND ART -- Seen at work on Nonsuch Island in 1931, artist Else Bostelmann takes the colours of fish specimens gathered from Dr. Beebe's bathysphere for her watercolour collection. (Archival photograph by courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York).