The Evolution of Nature: From the Dinosaur World to Kinetic Plants
Jurassic World
Moskvarium
Permanent Exhibition
The Age of Dinosaurs is a permanent exhibition where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the ancient ocean era and see animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.
The Moskvarium Centre of Oceanography and Marine Biology is one of Europe's largest oceanariums. Opened in 2015 and located at VDNH, it hosts over 600 species over a total area of 53,000 sq. m.
For the first time, 12 species of prehistoric giants are recreated in a single exhibition using multimedia technology. All the animals are life-sized and have been created in line with the latest scientific research. 3D animation techniques have made the animal's movements realistic and natural. Visitors get to know the animals through an interactive experience.
The exhibition is divided into several thematic zones. There is a panoramic tunnel with an interactive floor, a platform to imitate volcanic eruptions, and an interactive map of the world. In the Lab area, six touchscreens and a projection wall enable visitors to conduct their own experiments with DNA and breed new animal species by crossbreeding aquarium fish with prehistoric giants.
Address: 9 Prospekt Mira, Building 23
Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily.
Tickets: 1100–1300 RUB.
Golden Turtle International Wildlife Festival
New Tretyakov Gallery
Open until November 20.
The Golden Turtle is an eco-educational project that has given visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of wildlife since 2006. The festival aims to promote a respectful attitude towards nature.
The heart of the festival is an exhibition of the best photographs from the competition, which attracted 4,252 submissions from 111 countries. The images capture animals in their natural habitats and breathtaking landscapes. The exhibition covers 3,000 square metres.
The exhibition includes film screenings, master classes, and lectures. Events dedicated to specially protected natural areas of Russia will give guests an opportunity to meet famous travellers and representatives of nature reserves and national parks. Those who are interested in photography can attend creative meetings with famous photographers and master classes. There will also be a series of events focusing on sustainable development and sensible consumption.
Address: 10 Krymsky Val
Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Sun 10 am – 6 pm; Thu, Fri and Sat 10 am – 9 pm; closed on Mondays
NB: last entry one hour before closing time
Tickets: 350–550 RUB.
Tickets can be bought online (website in Russian).
The Aesthetics and Richness of the Insect World
Hortus
Open until November 6.
Insects are an integral part of life on Earth. The diversity of insects is so rich that we do not even realise that many of them exist. At the exhibition, visitors can see more than 500 of the most spectacular butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, mantises, ant lions, and other representatives of this class of animals.
Founded in 1706 by Peter the Great, Hortus is Russia's oldest botanical garden. It is located close to the city centre, boasts lots of interesting modern design solutions, and regularly hosts a variety of exhibitions and events.
It presents the largest, heaviest, fastest, scariest, most beautiful, and exquisite record-breaking insects from the private collection of Andrey Sochivko, who is an artist, entomologist, photographer, and organiser of 45 expeditions to various countries in Eurasia, Africa, and South America. Sochivko's collection numbers over 30,000 specimens. Most of it is devoted to the order of Lepidoptera, or butterflies.
Each exhibit is accompanied by information on the Latin name of the species, the Russian name, and the region of origin. The author's photographs of insects in the wild perfectly accompany this journey through the fascinating world of insects.
Address: 26 Prospekt Mira, Building 1
Opening hours: 10 pm – 9 pm daily.
Tickets: 200–400 RUB.
Tickets can be bought online (website in Russian).
The Expansion of Reality. Evolution
MARS Centre for Contemporary Art
Open until October 31.
The MARS Centre for Contemporary Art presents an exhibition in which reality merges with the virtual world. The content of the exhibition can be interpreted in two ways: a utopian view of the Earth's future or a prophecy of digital fiction. The works of digital artists invite us to take a fresh look at the evolution of all living things—flora, fauna, human beings.
The development of multimedia technology is changing our reality. The most exciting question now is what the planet will be like in the foreseeable future. Those who are interested will be able to enjoy the media artists' vision.
The exhibition features three light sculptures: an installation with polygonal mirrors, kinetic flowers, and a sculpture in which you can see your own digital reflection. Three animal creatures from the animal kingdom of the future have also been added to the exhibition. Visitors also can interact with immersive installations and witness a sculpture that reacts to breathing.
Address: 5 Pushkarev Pereulok
Opening hours: 12 pm – 10 pm daily.
Tickets: 700 RUB (partly in English)
Text by Irina Zavyalova, first-year master's student at the School of Foreign Languages, intern at the HSE University English website team