Sustainability, plant organisms and the human being’s influence on their environment were the central themes of the exhibition, which featured impressive works by a wide range of artists. Three conceptual strands at the Children’s Biennale illustrated how nature can be represented within museums, how natural resources can be used wisely, and how cycles can be completed. Theresa Rothe, for example, created a floral art installation for the Children’s Biennale, and Giuseppe Licari a walk-in art installation made of clay that dealt with soil as the basis of life and the exploitation of resources. Art therefore showed the youngest among us what it really means to belong to planet Earth. Art does not, however, embrace nature merely on a thematic level. Sustainability was also taken into account with regards to the materials used, means of transportation, and staging within the creative space.

The tour through the historic building not only unveiled unique works of art but visitors of all ages to express their creativity and get actively involved. The exhibition concept provided participatory spaces in which visitors could deepen their understanding of the relationship between man and nature while viewing the artwork on display. Using simple means and materials, we developed a flexible and modular design for the participatory spaces that could be adapted to a variety of purposes.