New SeaGlass carousel takes you on an underwater adventure inside of giant, illuminated fish

A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/photos-spiraling-seaglass-carousel-will-let-you-ride-giant-glass-fishes-in-battery-park/">new carousel</a> filled with giant, glowing sea creatures is making quite the splash in Battery Park. Encased in a spiraling steel nautilus designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/index.php?s=wxy">WXY Architecture + Urban Design</a>, <a href="http://www.thebattery.org/the-conservancy/">The Battery Conservancy</a>'s SeaGlass is a <a href="http://www.thebattery.org/seaglass/">mystical merry-go-round</a> that allows visitors to take part in an interactive dance by riding inside of translucent, illuminated fish fabricated by <a href="http://georgetsypin.com/">George Tsypin Opera Factory</a>. The sustainably designed aquatic attraction and surrounding Tiffany & Co. Foundation Woodland Gardens are all set to open to the public <strong>today</strong> at 1PM, but we managed to get a little sneak peek. Click through our gallery below to check out our photos, and read on for a video of our first ride!

"We are thrilled to introduce New Yorkers and visitors from around the world to SeaGlass Carousel, offering a completely unique theatrical experience that will delight and inspire," said Warrie Price, president and founder of <a href="http://www.thebattery.org/the-conservancy/">The Battery Conservancy</a>. "The opening of SeaGlass and the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Woodland Gardens marks a major step forward in plans to revitalize The Battery, as it recaptures its place as a major cultural destination in the city."

Conceived by <a href="http://www.wxystudio.com/">WXY</a> as a way to speak to The Battery's history as the original home of the New York Aquarium, the one-of-a-kind spectacle tells the story of the area's connection to the sea.

<a href="http://www.thebattery.org/seaglass/">SeaGlass</a> has been in development for more than 10 years, and features a bevy of architectural, artistic, lighting, sound and experiential elements that have all been choreographed into a carousel for the modern era.

24 structural forms, including steel framing, stainless steel roofing and large glass panels, make up the carousel's unique casing, which spirals up to 35-feet-tall at the highest point.

Riders are bathed in natural light during the day thanks to this dramatic skylight.

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Sustainable considerations, such as a natural ventilation system that utilizes the movement of the carousel itself as a fan to ventilate the space and LED and fiber-optic lighting, were also incorporated into WXY's design.

Designed by <a href="http://georgetsypin.com/">George Tsypin Opera Factory</a>, which had just wrapped its work on Broadway's The Little Mermaid when they were contacted by The Battery Conservancy, the 30 over-sized fish that bring SeaGlass to life are as large as 9 ½ feet wide and 13 ½ feet tall, and represent 12 different species.

Since there are no poles going through the creatures, riders are able to sit within cubby-like holes in the fish and experience the show in a way that is much more dynamic than a traditional carousel.

Each SeaGlass ride is complemented by a musical score arranged by Teddy Zambetti, SiriusXM's in-house composer.

Teddy Zambetti, SiriusXM's in-house composer, said that he wanted to introduce children to ride in the carousel to classical music in a non-traditional way.

The ride also showcases the splendor of the surrounding gardens.

The fish in SeaGlass are available for sponsorship for $100,000 each.

The SeaGlass carousel will open on Thursday, August 20 at 1pm. After opening day, regular hours of operations will be daily from 10am-10pm. Tickets will be $5.

Some of Zambetti's arrangements for SeaGlass include an EDM remix of Saint-Saëns, World Beat Mozart and Jazz Fusion Ravel.

SeaGlass Carousel Battery Park