A mere wisp of smoke can, however, herald a fiery horror for people living around Melbourne's fringe, yet to the forest this destruction means rebirth, as it has for millions of years. In addition to being a beautiful and refreshingly different experience, the Forest Gallery surprises and delights visitors with stories drawn from Museum Victoria's unique view of the forests. Here visitors find insights into the interconnected and multi-layered nature of forest life. Water conveys stories about how landform and catchment create the conditions for forest life. Earth conveys stories about the impact of continental movement on the evolution of forest life.
Climate conveys stories about the seasonal changes evident in forest life.
Fire conveys stories of catastrophic events and the regeneration of forest life. Human conveys stories of people's perceptions of the forest and the impacts of people on forest life. This artists impression shows the five agents as sections from right to left A new icon The architecture, the vegetation and the wildlife combine to create a memorable feature symbolising 'the living museum'. The dynamism of life inherent in the 'exhibition' parallels the dynamism of the Museum's endeavours behind the scenes. As Melbourne Museum's only 100 year exhibition, it offers returning visitors both the comforting recognition of permanency and the promise of growth and change for generations to come.