Exhibition Guide:
Our Time On Earth



Introduction

Our Time on Earth is a major new immersive exhibition exploring radical ideas around the climate crisis. Find out how, through technology, we can reveal the natural world like never before and approach the climate crisis in a way that inspires hope and positivity.

Featuring 18 artists and 12 new commissions, see the world from new perspectives, spanning art, science, activism and more.

It takes place across the Barbican Centre, in The Curve gallery and in the Pit Theatre on Level -2, with free exhibits across the foyers.

Find out more about the exhibition in our article: Introduction to Our Time on Earth, below.

1. Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest by Marshmallow Laser Feast with Andres Roberts 

2. Refuge for Resurgence by SUPERFLUX  

3. Smīkra Wahikwa by Choose Earth and Wild Arrow #7 by Selvagem

4. Symbiocene by Julia Watson and Smith Mordak and Buro Happold

5. Planet City by Liam Young  

6. Queer Ecology by Brigitte Baptiste and Institute of Digital Fashion 

7. A Biological Future for Fashion by Biofabricate with Parley for the Oceans  

8. Sharing Prosperity by DVTK with Institute for Global Prosperity  

9. Where Does Your Building Come From? by Build X Studio with Mycotile

10. The World Beneath Our Feet by Holition & George Monbiot  

11. 2040 – Sensible Zone by Territorial Agency 

12. Stories of Change by The Earth Issue with an immersive space by Wallmakers

13. Sonic Waterfall by Silent Studio

Two people have their backs to the camera looking at a wall with a projection of swirls and white spotted lights

Belong

The Belong section of the exhibition tells the story about how we connect to other species to help us understand our place in the world. Peer through the layers of a digitally-created projection of an enormous tree from the Colombian rainforest in Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest.

Imagine

In the Imagine section, discover ten new artworks and commissions which show positive possibilities for the future. There isn’t just one solution to the climate emergency, and this section presents multiple possible visions for how we could create a radically different world.

Engage

Once inspired by these imaginative works and future-looking approaches, you may ask: what can I do to make a difference? The third section in the exhibition in The Curve – called Engage – will address this and empower you to act.

abstract painting by gillian ayres made up of lots of different hsapes and colours


1 - Life Forces
by Tin & Ed
Level G, Barbican’s Silk Street Entrance
This interactive digital art installation provides a portal to nature, taking you on a vivid journey that reminds you of the fact that humans are part of nature, not separate from it.

2 - Eyes as Big as Plates
by Karoline Hjorth and Riita Ikonen
Level G
Initially created as a play on Nordic folklore, these photographs show characters in wearable sculptures made from the natural materials from their surroundings.

3 - Wither
by Thijs Biersteker
Well space, Level G
Wither aims to raise awareness of the startling rate of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, by presenting visitors with a digital section of rainforest that changes with real-time data provided by UNESCO.

4 - The Ideal city 2040
by Space 10
Level G
Welcome to the Ideal City 2040. Viewed through virtual reality binoculars, experience a potential future where our cities are greener, healthier and more sustainable.

5 - Noise Aquarium
by Victoria Vesna
The Pit, Level -2
This interactive experience explores the effects of noise pollution on the plankton found in our oceans. Immersed in an underwater world, visitors are invited to make disruptive that create a detrimental impact on the plankton.

Creatives' statements

Behind all of the artworks on display in the exhibition you will find teams of artists, scientists and activists who are passionate about the climate crisis. Find out how they describe their work in their own words.

Download the creatives' statements here.