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Today explores the beauty and essential nature of water, the planet’s lifeblood. The exhibit will open at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre on September 16th 2019 and will be on display through to April 2020.

The exhibition, organised by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), examines the diversity and challenges of water sources worldwide and promotes conversation, creativity and innovation through art, science and technology.

H2O Today is part of the Smithsonian’s #ThinkWater Initiative to raise awareness of water as a critical resource for life.  Using immersive content, interactive activities, and digital media, this international exhibition – supplemented with Iziko curated African content and collections objects – brings a global conversation at a critical time within the Southern African regional context.

H2O Today dives into what it means to live on a planet where 71 percent of the surface is covered in water, of which less than 3 percent is drinkable. The exhibition highlights water’s criticality in daily life worldwide through waterpower, industry, agriculture and home use. It explores the science of water from the hydrological cycle, weather and climate to its physical power as an architect and sculptor of landscape. The exhibition showcases global examples and striking imagery augmented with audiovisual material that tells the story of Earth as the water planet, water as our home, ways that water shapes culture, rising tides and sea level rise, and innovative solutions to some of the planet’s greatest water challenges. 

The exhibition also features several firsts for the Smithsonian initiatives with an art jamming section entitled h2Art and a troupe of Actors who double as guides, bringing the panels to life and musical plays with water themes. Another world first is the inclusion of an anamorphic 3D artwork, 8m wide by 4m high, depiction of the Victoria Falls in flood and the banks of the Zambezi River, as well as 3D endangered Whale species and a 3D Greenback Turtle.

The debut in South Africa was made possible with a generous grant from the Embassy of The United States of America. The US Consul General McCarthy

Noted:

“We are delighted to partner with the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre to bring the H2O Today exhibit to audiences in Johannesburg and the region.  This exhibit raises awareness about the serious issue of water resource management in an engaging and interactive manner.  There has never been a more critical time to focus on how vital water is in our lives, and the importance of recognizing potable water as a truly precious resource.”

The Johannesburg season of H2O Today will be hosted at the iconic Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.  Sci-Bono is a world-class science centre that supports maths, science and technology, education and offers innovative, dynamic learning experiences that contribute to building South Africa’s science, engineering and technology capacity.

With the growing concern about the water crisis and droughts experienced in parts of South Africa, the H2O exhibition couldn’t have arrived at Sci-Bono at a better time.  As a benefit of this precise timing, this exhibition will teach learners and the public about strategies of preserving water in new and exciting ways.  I invite everyone to visit the centre and take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity to engage with and immerse themselves.

We as Sci-Bono are delighted and grateful to have partnered with the Embassy of the United States, Unicef, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Exxaro, Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Water Research and Clover for ensuring the feasibility of hosting the H2O Today exhibition.  Their affiliation will assist Sci-Bono in maximizing collective impact globally and nationally, says CEO of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Dr More Chakane.

H2O Today will be on daily from 09:00 until 17:00.  The centre is an ideal family destination on weekends with regular interactive theatre shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 and 13:00.

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is situated in Helen Joseph Street, in the vibrant precinct of Newtown, Johannesburg with plenty of safe parking.

Admission to Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is from R45.00 with various packages available for learners and families.

For bookings, call 011 639 8400.

Issued by Sci-Bono Discvery Centre