Environmental art exhibit Arcadia Earth is making its Canadian debut later this year following successful runs in New York, Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia.
Launching as a permanent anchor attraction in a new mixed-use development in Toronto, Arcadia Earth will explore today’s urgent environmental issues through art installations, augmented reality and virtual reality.
The new 17,000-square-foot venue will highlight global challenges such as overfishing, plastic waste and biodiversity loss.
Inspiring visitors to protect the planet
“From the moment you step into an Arcadia Earth experience, your relationship with our planet changes,” said Craig Perlmutter, president of Arcadia Earth Toronto. “So much of today’s conversation around the environment is focused on destruction and failure.
“Our exhibits flip the narrative, captivating visitors through mind-bending creativity and weaving in educational content that truly inspires.
“Our aim is to ignite a passion to learn more, drive tangible lifestyle changes and activate visitors to understand the positive impact they can have on the world around us.”
Arcadia Earth’s installations are created using recycled materials and reusable elements, turning waste into immersive environments that inform and inspire visitors to protect the planet.
These include an underwater world built from salvaged commercial fishing nets, and a beehive made from thousands of pages of reclaimed books.
Each space has been designed in collaboration with leading environmental artists. One room within the new exhibit is reserved for a Canadian artist, who is being selected through a submissions process.
Highlighting environmental issues
Additionally, Arcadia Earth has worked with World Wildlife Fund Canada on an interactive environment to demonstrate how we can reverse wildlife loss, prevent climate change and regenerate habitats over the next 10 years.
“While the planet is facing two crises – climate change and biodiversity loss – we still have time to reverse course and stay on the right side of the line,” said Megan Leslie, WWF-Canada president and CEO.
Part of Arcadia Earth Toronto will be a marketplace selling eco-friendly and sustainable products developed mostly by Canadian entrepreneurs.
Arcadia Earth’s official opening date will be announced later this summer. The launch of the new exhibit comes during what could become Canada’s worst wildfire season on record.
Via BBC News, millions of people in North America have been advised to wear N95 masks outdoors due to poor air quality levels caused by the uncontrollable flames.
“Belonging to a country with such a vast collection of diverse landscapes from coast-to-coast, Canadians hold such pride and respect for their bountiful environments,” said Valentino Vettori, founder of Arcadia Earth.
“This makes Canada such a natural fit for Arcadia Earth’s permanent home and we know both locals and visitors alike will be motivated by our message.”
Lead image credit: Arcadia Earth
