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October 30, 2008

Science Centre exhibit focuses on forests

'The materials are very simple, very natural"

By STEVEN HOWELL

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Science Centre offers high-tech fun and games, lessons that explore the basics of science, a working Internet studio and now a walk through the woods.

"Beyond the Trees," the new temporary exhibition that opened earlier this month, offers a look at Canada's forests. On hand are some 80 artifacts, including maps, forestry tools, vintage weather equipment, dozens of interactive videos and works of art that explore everything you need to know about the forest. The exhibition is a co-production of the Montreal Science Centre, the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa and Musee de la Civilisation of Quebec City.

"Beyond the Trees' shows how human beings have always been linked with the forest," said Louise Julie Bertrand, head of exhibitions. "It not only looks at what a natural forest is and what's in it, the exhibit also looks at the things that affect the forest, from the climate to insects to forest fires as well as human intervention."

The place looks -- and sounds -- great as well, as tall cardboard tree trunks and chirping birds set the scene.

"The materials are very simple, very natural," Bertrand said. "It evokes a real forest."

FIGHT THE FIRE

An introductory map shows the variety of forests inside Canada.

"The forests in the west are different from the forests in central and eastern Canada," Bertrand said.

For example, British Columbia's temperate wet climate offers a Coastal Forest, with the perfect weather conditions for growing some very tall trees. Closer to home, conifers and deciduous trees comprise the majority of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Forest. A special pair of binoculars used by foresters lets you see a 3-D perspective of a forested map, as well.

Throughout the exhibit, some 20 video terminals feature folks who work in the forest industry.

"The forest is a great generator of jobs," Bertrand said. "The videos bring a wonderful human aspect to the subject.'

"The Natural Disturbances" theme looks at biological factors that affect the forest and includes topics such as insect infestation and climate concerns.

"But the one that's most striking is fire," Bertrand said.

A variety of equipment specifically geared to combat forest fires is introduced in an interactive video that teaches you how to fight a forest fire. Bertrand said this is one video game you really want to win.

"Because it gives you a sense of responsibility to save lives, homes and put out that fire."

The themes "Industrialization," "Inventions" and "Harvesting" show the human-intervention side of the forest. Artifacts include everything from a 6,000-year-old stone ax once used by prehistoric peoples to a 9-foot, two-man crosscut manual saw used by lumberjacks circa 1900. Artistic interpretations come in the form of a vintage hobbyhorse from 1850 to wooden water skis from 1920. One last interactive tool is an actual simulator used by modern-day lumberjacks that trains them on how to properly harvest trees.

EXCELLENCY AWARD

Complementing "Beyond the Trees" is "Vaeltava Metsa," or "Nomadic Forest," a simple but stunning artistic installation that combines the work of 20 Quebec artists and nine Finnish printmakers. On display are 29 delicate 9-foot-tall tree scrolls printed on Japanese Baika paper. Hung from the ceiling, the scrolls create their own forest-like environment and draw attention to the fragile balance of nature.

"Beyond the Trees" continues until March 8. "Vaeltava Metsa" continues through Jan. 4.

Also debuting at the Science Centre earlier this month is "Mars 2030," a new interactive movie game that takes you on a spacecraft flight to Mars. Visitors, based at Earth's command center, use individual computer consoles to guide robots, dig wells and build shelters already positioned on the planet.

Incidentally, one year after the Science Centre spent $6.3 million on a high-tech makeover that features four new permanent exhibition halls -- Imagine, Mission Gaia, Science 26 and idTV -- it received, in early October, the Excellency Award for Exhibitions given by La Societe des Musees Quebecois, the governing body of museums for the province.

"I'm really proud of this Best Exhibition of the Year prize," Bertrand said. "It's the equivalent, in the museum world, to the Academy Awards!"

The Montreal Science Centre is at the King Edward Pier in the Old Port. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. Admission costs $12 for adults, $11 for teens and seniors, and $9 for children 4 to 12. Admission to the IMAX screenings costs extra; combo discounts are available. Call (514) 496-4724 or visit www.montrealsciencecentre.com.

writeonbetty@sympatico.ca

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