WHEN THE GRAND GARDEN PALACE exhibition building in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens burnt down in 1882, the feverish bid to replace what was lost formed the foundation of the Powerhouse Museum and its collection. A major new exhibition at its Ultimo site takes this moment in history as its starting point for engaging with our changing relationship with the eucalypt. Born of research by artist Agatha Gothe-Snape, its title taken from a 1930s text by is a multisensory experience complete with soundscape and scent. The earthiness of petrichor permeates the space while personality-filled timber specimens interact with contemporary artworks to encourage questions and reflection.
