Interactive digital installation celebrates the wonder of Australia’s unique birdlife
A touring digital installation that celebrates the wonder of Australia’s unique birdlife will be a feature of the Civic Square South Court this spring.
Located outside the Orange Regional Museum, the ‘Birds of Australia STORYBOX — a two-metre-high cube faced with hi-resolution LED displays — was unveiled on Friday, September 1 coinciding with the change of season.
The interactive multimedia installation is a presentation of the Australian Museum, bringing to life the iconic 19th-century bird illustrations of English ornithologist John Gould and his wife Elizabeth, together with First Nations storytelling and insights into the challenges facing many of Australia’s native birds today.
“They're utilising this incredible technology to uncover the story of Gould's Birds of Australia,” said Orange Regional Museum manager Mary-Liz Andrews, referring to the famous 19th Century illustrated book.
“I actually didn't realise until we started looking at this project that all those fabulous and famous illustrations from Gould's were by Elizabeth,” she continued.
“So they look at that, but they're also kind of unpacking some of the First Nations’ knowledge around bird life and other aspects of bird life in Australia, including the endangered species and protecting endangered species.”
The Birds of Australia STORYBOX traces the Goulds’ journey as they travelled across NSW in the 1800s on one of the most significant birding expeditions in history.
You can use your mobile phone to interact with the illustrations and hear First Nations stories, bird calls, complete activities, and learn about current habitat pressures facing many of the birds featured in Gould’s collection and what you can do to help endangered birds in your area.
“Some of the panels duplicate across, but then sometimes it actually will wrap around, so you can sit anywhere around the box and watch the story unfold,” Mary-Liz explained.
“You can also interact with it, so if you scan the QR code that's on the introduction panel here, you can interact with it.
“You can do exercises like colouring in the birds yourself with your finger… you can highlight birds and make noises with them and you can learn more about birds through that portal, as well as on your own phone.”
The digital installation coincides with Biodiversity Month, which is held in September each year to promote the importance of connecting with, and caring for nature in all its diversity.
On Friday, September 1, Students from Spring Hill Public School worked with professional chalk artists from ZEST Events International to create a chalk mural of a flock of Superb Parrots on the South Court steps.
The art-making event was organised by the Orange Regional Museum along with Local Land Services.
At the Orange Regional Museum this Friday, September 8, Dr Ross Crates, a Postdoctoral fellow with the Difficult Bird Research Group at the Australian National University, will present his research investigating the dynamics, monitoring and conservation genomics of the Regent Honeyeater. The talk will be held from 6pm-8pm. Tickets cost $15 and can be booked via Eventbrite.