New exhibitions and spaces at the Australian Museum
Introduction
Did you know the Australian Museum is a complex site of five major buildings of various ages (1850-1988)? Each building has a different level of infrastructure – such as power or lighting – for exhibitions and staff. The buildings which make up the Museum were built as separate projects, adding new storeys and spaces over 150 years and resulting in sometimes maze-like routes with ramps, sloping floors and stairs between buildings. Over the years some intrusive additions such as mezzanines and lighting frames have been added to some of the Museum's grandest public heritage spaces.
The Revitalisation Program will begin to address some of these issues. Two large mezzanines will be removed to reinstate some of the Australian Museum's best heritage spaces on level two. We are also looking at introducing a base level of infrastructure (e.g. power and lighting) which is sympathetic to the architectural design of the buildings and will also meet our operational requirements.
New exhibitions will:
- continue providing visitors with a world-class Museum experience through which to explore and understand nature and cultures in Australia and Pacific regions
- present more of the Australian Museum's collection and research to visitors
- highlight some of the building's grand heritage features and create easier navigation paths for visitors
- update some of our exhibitions some of which are more than 20 years old
- include a more flexible display system for the addition of new information
New exhibitions opening on level two in mid 2008 are:
Surviving Australia
'It is not the strongest of the species which survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.' Charles Darwin.
Surprisingly it is not the biggest, fiercest or toughest animals that survive in Australia. In fact the success and failure of species teaches us a lot about survival. Never before has it been more crucial to understand what it takes to survive in this diverse land by observing our specialized native fauna and their revealing stories.
This stimulating exhibition is suitable for all ages and also challenges many stereotypes of wildlife Australia. Discover those less known animals from Australia's marine waters, small islands, Sydney backyards, and then come face to face with some of our dangerous and iconic Australians such as red-back spiders and venomous snakes. This is your chance to really understand why Australia animals are different; as well as uncovering real facts about those 'dangerous' Australians!
Dinosaurs
This new 650 square metre exhibition looks at how dinosaurs lived and died and how we know – using fossils, comparisons with modern animals and new technology to understand dinosaur behaviour. Find out why most dinosaurs became extinct and which ones are still living among us.
With four main thematic areas – Dinosaur World, Dinosaur Life, Discovering Dinosaurs and Surviving Dinosaurs – visitors will experience a full range of display techniques – including large skeletons with dramatic lighting effects, hands-on fossil specimens, computer and other interactives, showcases of specimens, reconstructed scenes and projections of life-sized CGI dinosaurs – all designed for exploration and participation.
New space opening on level two in mid 2011 is:
Discover (working title)
Discover, the Museum's new interactive space will offer visitors a welcoming and dynamic, resource-rich, flexible place that will build upon our current programs, explore new technologies, offer an expanded program for all visitors, including under 5s. This flexible space will incorporate 'hands-on' areas and information resources as a place to relax and investigate at your own pace or ask questions of our helpful staff.
The space will be filled with real 'touchable' specimens to observe and explore, as well as social and quiet areas for videos, computers, microscopes and so much more! Uncover tiny objects, large objects and masses of specimens, as well as interactive elements to increase your awareness of the natural world and better understand scientific and cultural issues that affect our daily lives.
