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See the world's tropical forests illuminated in stunning new show

A new exhibition in Paris showcases the diversity of tropical forests and their plants and animals through a series of majestic light installations

By Gege Li

6 December 2023

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National Museum of Natural History, France. China Light Festival BV

TROPICAL forests have rarely looked so dazzling.

This is the entrance to the Jungle en voie d’illumination (“Jungle on the way to enlightenment”) exhibition, organised by the National Museum of Natural History in France. It is designed to showcase the unique diversity of the world’s tropical forests through a series of majestic light installations that focus attention on an array of animals and plants.

Adorning the illuminated arch are several works that offer a glimpse of what is in store in the first zone of the tour: India. An Asian elephant, tigers, a black panther, langur monkeys and a reticulated python – just a few of the country’s wild inhabitants – can be seen within the luminous forest display, some peeking out of its shining leaves.

From there, the exhibition goes on a journey of discovery to the forests of Borneo, New Guinea, the Amazon (the largest of these landscapes and home to 10 per cent of all biodiversity) and Madagascar, before ending in central Africa – while also raising awareness of the need to protect these special landscapes and habitats.

The exhibition will be at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris until 21 January 2024.

National Museum of Natural History, France

 

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