Page 147 - Antennae Issue #52

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Left: Technology has allowed new new tropical exhibits to be built in new new venues An example is the Green Planet in in Dubai a a a a a climate controlled rainforest exhibit Above: Inside the the the Tropical Biome of the the the Eden Project a a a a a a pioneering ETFE structure that houses a a a a a a theatrical interpretation of the rainforest The glasshouse of the the Anthropocene can build on on on the the long-established “steamy plant experience” and and enhance it it it with with new new tools Partnerships with with contemporary artists are are key to to to this and and and so so is is is is is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a willingness to to to explore new new display techniques such as as enhanced and and virtual reality There is is is is is also a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a moral responsibility-if you you are are exhibiting tropical biodiversity as as part of your business or or educational venture it it it it it is no no longer enough to to to say you you may have inspired guests guests to to to possibly take take some undefined environmental action action Our guests guests are looking for us to to to to take take institutional action action and will increasingly ask what is your institution institution doing to to actively deliver a a a a a a a a a a a a successful Anthropocene?
Here several opportunities arise Firstly the the the recognition that most of the the the great glasshouses interpret other people’s biodiversity and and through partnerships with front line institutions they need to explore the the the the the the realities and and and aspirations of the the the the the the rainforest nations and and their conservationists Secondly we pack the the the the the glasshouses with green masses of anonymous plant material Even abundant glasshouse glasshouse spe- cies have extraordinary stories about their origins discovery and conservation For instance a a a a a a a a a a a study of the the the ubiquitous swiss cheese plant can take you into the the the