The Climate Machine exhibition takes us on a climate journey
Through a look at the history and role of greenhouses, and more specifically, the one in Parc de la Ciutadella, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of how the greenhouse effect supports life on our planet by regulating the Earth’s temperature and making it habitable, but human action is disturbing this balance and changing the climate in ways that have serious consequences. At the same time, greenhouses are emerging as future spaces for sustainable and local food production.
The Climate Machine exhibition takes us on an exciting journey through the past and future of greenhouses. And it does so at the Hivernacle, the greenhouse par excellence in Barcelona, located in Parc de la Ciutadella, a unique cultural and natural treasure.
But what are greenhouses, really? How do they work? What do they have to do with the greenhouse effect or climate change? To accompany us on this journey through time to discover the history, value and meaning of these buildings, the exhibition is divided into three parts, each in a different room within the Hivernacle:
The Hivernacle, a historic site
In the first room, we look back at the history of the Hivernacle, from the initial project designed by Josep Fontserè, to the Universal Exposition of 1888 and the various restoration projects, to the cultural activities it has hosted, such as the Grec Festival in 1988.
Imitating the Earth: the greenhouse effect
In the central room, knowledge and art come together. A video explains what the “greenhouse effect” actually is and helps us to understand that the mechanism behind the Hivernacle is, in fact, the same one used by the planet to make life on Earth possible. But take note: the increase in CO2 emissions is exacerbating the “greenhouse effect” on Earth, which in turn is leading to climate change. In addition to the video, there will also be artwork highlighting the behavioural changes that have led to climate change and calling on us to take action to defend the environment.
Greenhouses as a source of local, sustainable food
The third room of the exhibition explains how many cities are using greenhouses to promote sustainable food. Greenhouses not only enable food to be produced in situ, that is, without the need to grow it in a specific location or to generate a transportation footprint, they also mean it can be produced with very little water consumption. In the Picasso Room, we will see examples of projects from around the world, as well as some that are closer to home.
Exhibition dates:
From 7 June to 8 December 2024, at the Hivernacle in Parc de la Ciutadella.
The aim of the exhibition, organised by the Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens, is to show us the past and future of greenhouses, and particularly those in the Parc de la Ciutadella’s Hivernacle. It also takes a look at the greenhouse effect and climate change and shows the role that greenhouses and hydroponic production might play in the future of cities.