Dogs and Cats
- Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, Paris
18 Feb - 30 Aug 2026
From€15.00
Recommended
From
€15.00
The Gardening exhibition at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie represents a profound curatorial shift, repositioning the act of cultivation as a vital scientific and social laboratory for the 21st century. By moving beyond mere aesthetics, the showcase explores the inter-species relationships, soil biodiversity, and the impact of climate on our immediate environments. The curation is structured around six immersive garden-chapters, each serving as a unique ecosystem—from the Family Allotment to the Spontaneous Garden—inviting visitors to transition from passive observers to active participants in the living world.
A centerpiece of this journey is the integration of artistic vision with rigorous scientific inquiry, developed in collaboration with INRAE. Key highlights include a series of sensory and experimental plots that reinterpret real-world locations, such as the medicinal forest of Boris Presseq and Éric Lenoir’s punk garden. These installations challenge traditional preconceptions of nature, utilizing a reactive digital fresco—the Gardeners' Fresco—where visitors use a "magic spray" to contribute to a living, evolving work of art. This dialogue between botany, microbiology, and participatory art highlights the historical evolution of the garden from a site of subsistence to a space of ecological awareness.
The emotional resonance of the exhibition lies in its ability to foster a deep, sensory reconnection with non-human life. Through a symphony of sight, smell, and touch, visitors encounter the "misunderstood" plants and the secret strategies of pollinators, transforming scientific data into a poignant narrative of survival and cooperation. By exploring the healing garden, the exhibition emphasizes the therapeutic virtues of nature, reminding us that taking care of a garden is fundamentally an act of taking care of oneself.
Ultimately, Gardening serves as a powerful response to contemporary environmental and health challenges. It encourages a proactive posture and social connection, transforming the gallery into a communal garden where shared knowledge becomes a tool for resilience. This trilingual, universally accessible experience is not just an exhibition of plants, but a profound reflection on the human impact and our collective responsibility to nurture the ecosystems that sustain us.
Highlights
- Journey through six interactive garden-chapters that masterfully weave soil science into a multisensory odyssey.
- Experience a sophisticated critique of contemporary ecology and our intimate relationship with the living world.
- Discover the vital role of soil biodiversity and the complex inter-species relationships that sustain our planet.
- Explore a vital scientific and social laboratory for the 21st century that repositions the act of cultivation.
- Investigate the impact of climate on our immediate environments through refined artistic and scientific displays.
- Engage with a trilingual journey designed to redefine gardening as a profound and essential dialogue with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gardening
Yes, access to 'Gardening' is typically included with the 'Explora' pass, which grants entry to most permanent and temporary exhibitions.
A standard visit usually lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing enough time to explore all six interactive garden chapters.
Yes, the exhibition is family-friendly and designed to be accessible and engaging for children aged 6 and up.
Photography and filming for personal use are permitted, though the use of flash and tripods is prohibited to ensure a quality experience for all visitors.
Yes, 'Gardening' is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, and the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie provides elevators and ramps throughout.
Guided tours are occasionally offered for groups; please check the official museum schedule or information desk upon arrival for daily availability.
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