The Michigan State University Museum invites visitors to look beneath the surface of the natural world in X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, a visually compelling exhibition that reveals the skeletal structures of fish through dramatic black-and-white X-ray imagery. Organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the exhibition will be on view at the MSU Museum through July 2026.
Featuring 40 large-scale digital X-ray prints arranged in evolutionary sequence, X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out guides visitors through hundreds of millions of years of fish evolution. Drawn from the Smithsonian’s National Collection of Fishes — one of the largest and most diverse fish collections in the world — the images allow scientists to examine skeletal features without altering specimens, offering rare insight into the diversity, adaptation, and evolution of fish.
“These X-ray images allow us to study fish anatomy in ways that are both precise and non-invasive,” said Chan Kin Onn, curator of Vertebrate Collections at the MSU Museum. “They can reveal evolutionary patterns and structural adaptations that are often impossible to observe externally, while also demonstrating how scientific tools can create images of striking visual power.”
Originally created for scientific research, the X-rays featured in the exhibition transform anatomical documentation into elegant, almost abstract portraits. Some images reveal unexpected details, including undigested prey, offering glimpses into feeding behavior and ecological relationships. The exhibition highlights the intersection of science, art, and visual storytelling, showing how research-driven images can resonate beyond the laboratory.
“At its core, this exhibition exemplifies how museums can spark curiosity by revealing the hidden stories embedded in scientific research,” said Devon Akmon, director of MSU Museum. “As Michigan’s first Smithsonian Affiliate, the MSU Museum is excited to bring world-class exhibitions like X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out to our community.”
The MSU Museum was named the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the state of Michigan in 2001, a designation that allows the museum to collaborate with the Smithsonian Institution to borrow exhibitions, share collections and research, and expand access to national resources for students, scholars, and the public. In 2026, the MSU Museum celebrates 25 years as a Smithsonian Affiliate, marking a milestone in its long-standing commitment to interdisciplinary learning and public engagement.
“This exhibition is a powerful example of what that partnership makes possible,” Akmon added. “It reflects our role as a bridge between cutting-edge research and public discovery, and our ongoing commitment to making science accessible, engaging, and inspiring.”
Curated by Lynne Parenti and Sandra Raredon of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out reflects decades of work in ichthyology and scientific imaging. The exhibition was inspired by Ichthyo: The Architecture of Fish (Chronicle Books, 2008) by Stephanie Comer and Deborah Klochko.
This story originally appeared on the MSU Museum website.
