12 Signs of Life

City:

Moscow

Year:

2022

Location:

VDNKh, Pavilion
"Geology"

Team:

Architect: Planet9
Equipment: Aledo
Control system: Andrey Panitkov

Biologists and contemporary artists came together to create a unique project exploring the fundamental interconnections between all living things on our planet and beyond.

Some of the objects had been made specially for the exhibition, while others were recognized cultural heritage pieces. This meant we had to strike a careful balance: integrating modern and museum-grade exhibits in a cohesive way, while also adhering to strict lighting requirements for rare and collectible items.

The ‘Soviet-time’ museum lighting was taken as a main reference. We used light boxes with dense diffusers and used micro-spots. It helped us create the feeling of ‘graphic’ lighting: the glass cases were ‘boxed in’ by the lighting, and the key objects were accentuated.

Glass shelves displaying various medications and colored liquids with side and top lighting that creates depth and volume in the display cases

Four cylindrical display cases with biological specimens lit from the front, progressing from invertebrates to a bird

Central display case with plants and wood specimens, side lighting emphasizes the volume of the exhibition

Deer head close-up with side glance, antlers in shadow, soft light modeling the muzzle and highlighting the texture of the fur

A deer and goat grazing on a patterned black background with mushrooms, side lighting creates depth and highlights the texture of their fur

Museum display cases with animal skeletons: golden bones on light background, white panels with silhouettes in black frame, track lighting

Bird in flight shot from below with wings and feathers spread, evenly lit against a bright background that emphasizes plumage contrast

Nest made of dried grass with three speckled eggs on a white surface, lit by soft natural light highlighting the texture of materials

Animal skeletons on light background in black display cases lit by track lighting that casts sharp shadows and highlights bone details

Museum coral display with pink ceiling lighting and decorative center panel

Interior view of dark-framed glass cabinet holding coral and shell specimens arranged on lit turquoise shelves

Museum gallery interior with blue accent lighting on walls, display cases, and side lighting on low glass pedestals

Two mounted wolves, an adult and younger animal, posed together in naturalistic stance against neutral background

Display case with rabbit and armor shell under blue accent wall lighting, with dramatic spotlighting emphasizing the exhibition

Display case with herbaceous plant and flower on stone background, spotlighting emphasizes floral details against darkened space

Exhibition corridor with plant displays on the left and animal skeletons in the center, with track lighting highlighting the exhibits

Photographer: Vasily Bulanov