aPART of aLIFE: Nature Spheres

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Nature Spheres

There's something about geometrical greenhouses containing sample ecologies that just seems grand. I guess it says, "Science owns nature" or something similar. It's the modernist ideal, isn't it?

So to continue the formal study, what or who owns science, and how does that get represented? The Biosphere 2, originally built by a cult-like organisation as a sealed experiment, has been given to the University of Arizona, and its surrounding land will soon be filled with suburban houses. It is the odd piece of history around the corner.

The Eden Project is more recent, and not in desperate search of support. Its calendar is dotted with festivals and celebrations, and operates almost as a theme park. Like most theme parks, it has land distinct from any urban centre. Its bubbles exist in a world apart from ours.