Extinction Information pack Contents. Contents

Transcription

1 Information pack

2 Extinction Information pack Contents Contents Exhibition overview 3 Exhibition aims and audience 4 Example gallery plan 5 Exhibition content 6 Specifications 7 Press materials 8 Example merchandise 10 Contact 11 2

3 Extinction Information pack Exhibition overview Exhibition overview A story as old as life on Earth More than 99 per cent of the species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. Visitors to this exhibition can discover some of these extinct species and find out more about the compelling topic of extinction. Using iconic specimens from the Natural History Museum s collections as well as an engaging combination of high-definition videos, stunning photography and captivating interactive elements, it brings to life the topic of extinction and highlights endangered species around the world. This exhibition is a must-see not only for schools and families but also for adults. Extinction is a most interesting exhibition, well thought out and put together. It manages to convey the threat of extinction without making it doom and gloom, showing success stories as well as highlighting species currently in danger, and putting the current threats to biodiversity in context with earlier extinctions. Ian Simmons, Centre for Life, Newcastle, UK 3

4 Extinction Information pack Exhibition aims and audience Exhibition aims and audience The Extinction exhibition encourages visitors to: define and aid understanding of extinction enhance knowledge of interdependence in the natural world explain the impact humans have on the natural world In addition, visitors will: discover the value the world s natural and scientific heritage become aware of the impact our choices and activities have on biodiversity be inspired by people s efforts to conserve and understand biodiversity 4

5 Extinction Information pack Example gallery plan Example gallery plan Please note: as the size and shape of the display area may vary from venue to venue, it is not always possible to show the exhibition in its original form and layout. Entrance Fire Exit Fire Exit a 43 Shop 42 sqm 41 Fire Exit Bench 5

6 Extinction Information pack Exhibition content Exhibition content Introduction Life on Earth is very diverse. It s estimated that as many as 10 million species live on our planet but it hasn t always been like this. The diversity we see around us today was created thanks to past mass extinctions. At the beginning of this exciting exhibition, an immersive audio-visual wall beautifully highlights some of the species we share the planet with, while a spectacular skull introduces visitors to one of the most famous victims of a past mass extinction a gigantic land-based dinosaur. What makes now different? This exhibition uncovers the science behind extinction and uses clues from the fossil record to reveal the causes of past mass extinctions. Are scientists right when they say we re now in a sixth mass extinction? Visitors will get to see iconic extinct species from the dodo through to the great auk, and find out about the race against time to understand the biodiversity of our planet before it disappears. visions of the future and meet species on the brink of extinction, such as the orang-utan and the giant sable antelope. Which species will survive and which will become extinct? Will the threat of climate change make things worse or can we bring species, such as the Pyrenean ibex, back from the dead? Homo extinctus? Many species of Homo have existed on Earth, but only one still remains us. Meet some of our ancestors, such as the Neanderthals and Homo heidelbergensis and discover their fates. Did they become extinct or do they live on in modern day humans? Visitors can also discover some of the ways in which humans might become extinct, as they finish their journey by reflecting on the future for life on Earth in among the leaves of the sculptural wishing tree. Conservation to the rescue? Visitors will find out how human activity is pushing some species close to the brink. With stories and specimens ranging from the baiji river dolphin to the Arabian oryx, they will discover the desperate fight to protect species and celebrate some spectacular conservation successes. We re often told it s our responsibility to save species, but is that as simple as it sounds? As visitors come face to face with a tiger and a range of other species, they ll hear from conservationists about their work and have the chance to vote on key conservation issues. An end or a beginning? Turtles, horseshoe crabs, gingko trees: all have survived past mass extinctions, but how? The exhibition highlights their strategies for success and allows visitors to put them to the test in a multi-player touchscreen game. What happens after a mass extinction, how do new species evolve and how long does it take for life on Earth to recover? Visitors will take a look at some 6

7 Extinction Information pack Specifications Specifications We provide more than 60 specimens from the Museum s collections stunning audio-visual footage and interactive elements display cases exhibition graphics and text a marketing toolkit an installation and dismantling service, including mounting of specimens technical support services instructions for day-to-day supervision suggestions for educational events Average installation/dismantling period 12 days Venue requirements a minimum indoor display area of 450 sq m / 5,000 sqft a minimum gallery ceiling height of 4m (13ft) in one area for assembly and display a minimum doorway access height of 3m (10ft) and width of 2.5m (8.5ft) environmentally controlled conditions a single-phase electricity supply transport and insurance costs storage facilities for transport cases skilled installation and dismantling support staff forklift (including driver), crane, hoists or other equipment as required site manager and one electrician to sign off exhibition on-site freezing of specimens for 72 hours gallery staffing (the exhibition must be manned at all times) translation and production of text for text panels and digital interactives if required promotion and publicity 7

8 Extinction Information pack Press materials Press materials Each venue that hosts Extinction will receive a comprehensive pack of support materials to promote the exhibition, including a press release like the one below. Go beyond dodos and dinosaurs to find extinction s survivors Extinction: Not the End of the World? opens at <your venue name here> on <date>. A unique chance to explore the animals and plants arising from extinction, Extinction: Not the End of the World? takes you beyond dodos and dinosaurs to discover species that prospered in the wake of others demise. More than 99 per cent of species that once roamed our planet are now extinct, yet a diverse range of plants and animals survived. With a rich mix of astonishing images, real specimens and interactive installations, Extinction: Not the End of the World? examines the latest scientific findings and takes a look at today s endangered species, such as the tiger and orang-utan, opening debate on the need for their conservation. The exhibition brings together more than 80 museum specimens to guide visitors on a journey to through death and destruction, demonstrating the crucial role that extinction plays in the evolution of life. Highlights include: a beautifully reconstructed great auk, a waterbird that once swam in groups of hundreds of thousands of birds in the North Atlantic, but can be found only in museums today a wishing tree for visitors to leave their hopes and thoughts for others to ponder as they leave the exhibition Alex Fairhead, the exhibition s developer, says: Usually people only ever think of dinosaurs and dodos when they talk about extinction. In Extinction: Not the End of the World? visitors will discover the positive side to extinction and that the animals and plants we see today would not have survived if others had not first become extinct. There will also be opportunities to discuss modern conservation, see the conservation successes and failures, and consider whether we re now on the verge of the next mass extinction. Understanding extinction underpins all of the scientific work of the curators and researchers at the Natural History Museum and is crucial to discovering more about the evolution of animals and the natural world. Extinction is a natural part of life on Earth it s shaped and continues to shape the biodiversity that exists on the planet, explains Museum mammals curator Roberto Portela Miguez. Many scientists study the role that extinction plays in the evolution of life. Specimens of extinct species like those in our collections and on display in the exhibition hold the key to our better understanding of their demise and how life goes on. Research on them highlights the important value of museum collections. 8

9 Extinction Information pack Press materials Press materials continued Visitors to Extinction: Not the End of the World? will get to explore the following themes and questions: Why extinction is so important? More than 99 per cent of the species that have ever lived on Earth have now died out. Dinosaurs are only a very small part of the story of extinction a story as old as life on Earth and intricately entwined with our own origins and survival. Together with the process of evolution, extinction has helped shape all life on our planet, giving rise to the amazing range of plants and animals we see today. The sixth mass extinction Scientists often refer to five mass extinction events times when huge environmental change resulted in the near elimination of life on the planet. Some researchers believe we are entering a sixth mass extinction event now. Examine the evidence and decide for yourself. Ultimate survivors Discover how new species evolve after other species go extinct. See how long it takes life on Earth to recover from the most dramatic extinction events. Consider which species will and will not survive climate change and as we use more and more natural resources. A world without humans? Many early species of human have lived on Earth, but only one remains us. Will humans, like other species, come to the end of the natural life span for our species or will we wipe ourselves out through our own actions? Perhaps this could be a good thing for life on the planet? Discover a range of views about the future, some more radical than others, and leave behind your own wishes and hopes for the future of life on Earth. To conserve or not to conserve? Human activity is causing species to become endangered and go extinct. Scientists are fighting what some consider a losing battle to save animals such as the bluefin tuna and the kakapo parrot. Join the debate and discuss the controversial subject of conservation. Consider whether we should intervene in extinction or just let nature take its course. Should we focus our resources on the most endangered species or take the time to set up protected reserves? Vote for which species you d sacrifice or save. 9

10 Extinction Information pack Example merchandise Example merchandise Natural History Museum Publishing produces accessible, fully illustrated non-fiction books about the natural world. Extinction: Not the End of the World? by Steve Parker With a look at today s key issues, from biodiversity and conservation to the threat of human extinction, this book explores the major extinction events of the past and explains how scientists what they do. Using extinction case studies from around the world, it shows, for example, how local extinctions such as the large blue butterfly can be reversed. Presenting the latest research in an accessible and engaging way, it is a complete introduction to an important and often complex subject. About the author Steve Parker is an author, editor and consultant specialising in the natural world. He has written more than 250 books, has worked on the staff of the Natural History Museum and is a Senior Scientific Fellow of the Zoological Society of London. The Great Extinctions: What causes them and how they shape life by Norman MacLeod Featuring the latest scientific evidence and with informative illustrations and diagrams throughout, The Great Extinctions is a comprehensive guide to extinctions, their causes and their effects on evolutionary processes. Examining extinction over geological time, it explores the causes of extinction, compares ancient extinction events and predicts what might happen in the future. About the author Renowned palaeontologist Professor Norman MacLeod is Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Training at the Natural History Museum. He is the author of numerous books on the subject of extinction. For details on the latest available merchandise, please contact the Touring Exhibitions team. 10

11 Extinction Information pack Contact Contact The Natural History Museum has been open since 1881 and welcomes more than five million people a year of all ages and levels of interest. Our team has been touring our groundbreaking exhibitions since Each year they are enjoyed by millions of people in 48 countries. As a major international research institution, we draw on the experience and expertise of the 300 scientists working at the Museum to ensure the scientific accuracy of each exhibition. For more information on how Extinction can attract visitors to your venue, please call +44(0) , touring@nhm.ac.uk or go to Touring Exhibitions The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD 11