In contrast with our individualistic society, the honeybees’ world depends on collectivity. Individual bees fulfil the same role as collaborating cells in a human’s body: the colony is a super organism. Much in the same way, the information embedded in each of the hexagons in the museum’s honeycombs contribute to the larger story.
HIVE MIND
Beezantium
What appears as a small, wooden building on the outside transforms into a thriving beehive on the inside through integrated architecture and scenography. Gigantic honeycombs made from a material mimicking wax split the interior into different sections. Two large cells resemble a queen larva’s gestation cell. In these cells, you can lounge, listen to stories, and consider new perspectives about nature and its preservation as your knowledge expands.
- Location
- Somerset, UK
- Client
- The Newt in Somerset
- Year
- 2021
- Service
- Turn-key: concept, spatial design, graphic design, art direction, content development, installation
Super organism
Three-part collage
From micro to macro
You initially familiarise yourself with the bees at the smallest level of detail and zoom out as you make your way through the exhibition. You encounter their anatomical details, the way in which bees communicate and how bees interact with their environment. The visit ends by exploring the relationship between bees and humans. You discover, for example, that while we rely on bees for our food production, we also use pesticides and stimulate monocultures to produce food, threatening their very existence.
Meet the beekeeper
In the audio guide, the beekeeper of the estate Paula Carnell introduces you to her bees. The audio guide was not scripted. Instead, Paula shares spontaneous stories addressed to the visitor. It’s as if you are part of one of her bee safari’s that she often takes visitors on. These stories also shift in scale from small to large. From the activities in the hive and the division of labour within the colony, to the significant problems that threaten bees and what you can do to help them.
Awards
SBID International Design Awards 2022
- Best Public Space - Winner
