Canterbury environment to feature in Museum exhibition

An architect’s drawing of the entrance way to the Living Canterbury — Ka Whare Waitaha — exhibition to be held at the Canterbury Museum next month.

Some of the beautiful and interesting aspects of the Canterbury environment will be featured in an exhibition at the Canterbury Museum next month.

Living Canterbury, Ka Whare Waitaha, will open at the Museum on 29 November. It will also provide information on caring for the environmental assets, so they are retained long term.

The exhibition is a joint effort between Environment Canterbury and Canterbury Museum.

The two institutions have collaborated at every step in the development of the exhibition and the joint effort between a regional council and a museum is a first in New Zealand.

The title of the exhibition, Living Canterbury, implies the layout of the space.

It refers to the living things in Canterbury and that we live in this environment.

As such, there are different "e;living spaces"e; that are represented by five pavilions within the overall exhibition.

These pavilions are derived from the classical Greek themes of Air, Water, Earth and Fire, with the addition of Coast — a very significant part of the Canterbury environment.

In addition, Fire is used to refer to the biota component of our environment — all living things, including people.

The exhibit has been designed to offer information in an inter-active fashion — and to be another different visitor experience within the set of Museum galleries.

It is aimed at visitors of all ages, as well as from all places, and should provide plenty of entertainment for family groups.

The museum will be funded by the City Council this year by $3.1 million.