Displaying eco-scenes with techniques of diorama representation

Abstract

Biodiversity sustains human survival and development and constitutes one of the major themes of natural history museums. Within the exhibition in Zhejiang Museum of Natural History (China), diorama representations are used to create bio-scenes full of artistic conceptions in a limited space with the prototype of model areas, through the scientific refinement of original materials, vivid representation, artistic generalization and creation of story lines whilst taking advantage of design elements of space, colour and shape as well as high-simulation techniques. This article is based on a keynote speech presented by the author at the 22nd International Museum Association Conference in Shanghai in 2010. It elucidates how to use Bio-Diorama representation to create bio-scenes through an instance of displaying Chinese island eco-systems with Diorama representation. To conclude, the author points out some aspects that should be considered in the concrete operations.