Micropia

Micropia is set to inspire the general public, encouraging their interest in microorganisms and microbiology. The visual and the experiential are central, while the focus is firmly on the mostly positive relationship between microbes and humans. Micropia serves as an international platform for microbiology that brings diverse interest groups together in order to bridge the gap between science and the general public.

The uniqueness of Micropia lies in its mix of living and virtual microbes. Most exhibits show living microorganisms one way or another. Media elements insight into microbe appearance and behaviour, and the diversity of the microorganism relationship with humans.

The role of the visitor is central to the exhibition — as observer, interactive agent and researcher, and as a "canvas".

Entering the zoo is to enter your own body: an animation unfolding in the elevator shaft ceiling starts from the eye of the visitor, zooming into the microscopic. At the end of the experience a massive, 10 meter tall screen lets you display your collected micro-organisms in order of scale and fathom the wild differences in size.

We had an excellent interdisciplinary team to develop the exhibition: We could push boundaries of interaction formats, integrate high end lab equipment and have humour whilst telling fantastical stories, where every aspect was critical, but also openly reflected for its impact to the outcome.