Neukom Vivarium, Art installation and greenhouse in Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, United States
The Neukom Vivarium is a greenhouse structure spanning 80 feet that contains a fallen Western hemlock tree supporting its own ecosystem of plants and organisms. The building uses glass walls and specialized climate control to preserve and display the intricate web of life developing within the uprooted tree.
The installation was created in 2006 by artist Mark Dion using a Western hemlock tree that fell in 1996 within a protected drainage area near Seattle. The decision to preserve this fallen tree reflects a growing artistic interest in documenting natural processes and decay.
The installation merges art with hands-on nature study, inviting visitors to explore the hidden life within a fallen tree. This experience shapes how people think about the relationship between natural systems and human creativity.
Visitors receive magnifying glasses and field guide tiles to examine bacteria, fungi, insects, and plants within the controlled environment. Taking time to observe closely and using the provided resources fully enriches the experience of what is on display.
The greenhouse uses specialized technology to maintain the life processes of the fallen tree, showing the complexity of preserving natural environments in artificial conditions. Few visitors realize that the preservation process itself is as much an artistic statement as the original concept.
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