A velvet ant, a flower and a bird

A velvet ant is a small, wingless wasp. Its exoskeleton absorbs 99% of light, creating an ultra-black that is more complex than the human eye can appreciate. This technology, with its efficient light absorption, has potential to solve man-made problems. Such intelligence is both organic and artificial.

This exhibition A velvet ant, a flower and a bird re-enacts a ‘garden of knowledge’ structured around three entities: a velvet ant, a flower, and a bird. In it, historic and contemporary material culture and art co-mingle to envision intelligence as living, continually evolving, interconnected and interdependent. As the theory of quantum paradigm proposes, here everything affects and is influenced by everything.

This exhibition is curated by Spanish-born philosopher and art historian, Chus Martínez. The exhibition features work from the University of Melbourne’s Art, Classics and Herbarium collections, as well as important loans and commissions of new works.

Levels: Year 7-10 and VCE

Duration: up to 90 mins

Capacity: up to 30 students

Cost: $16 per student. $50 education service fee applies to all bookings

Schools Access Program: Low-SES schools (ICSEA <1050) are encouraged to get in touch with the Learning Experiences team.

Curriculum Connections:

• VCE Art Making and Exhibiting
• VCE Art Creative Practice
• Visual Arts 7-10
• Intercultural Capability
• Critical and Creative Thinking

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A velvet ant, a flower and a bird

Evoking a garden of knowledge anchored by three familiar figures from nature — a velvet ant, a flower and a bird.

Professional resources

Learn how to engage students more deeply with the themes of the exhibition through these professional development opportunities for educators.

Plan your visit

Information and resources to help you plan your school excursion