Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction exhibition @ ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands

ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands is currently running the largest dinosaur exhibition in Southeast Asia – Dinosaurs: Dawn to Exhibition. The exhibition will be on till 27 July 2014.

Occupying over 3,700 square meters of floor space, the exhibition features more than 400 fossils and models, as well as over 50 original artworks. This exhibition is the first time four exhibitions form the renowned American Museum of Natural History, San Juan National Science Museum, SCI! Expo at Monash University and artist Peter Trusler‘s works are all jointly presented together.

The exhibition is curated by paleontologist, Dr. Patricia Vickers-Rich and offers a refreshing and in-depth journey into the pre-existence, existence, rise and extinction of dinosaurs. The exhibition transports visitors more than 600 million years back in time, cover the Precambrian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/13182665455_43130e9b12_o.jpg”] Two dinosaurs side-by-side [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2045/13182782443_bc14abb1ed_o.jpg”] Roar! [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13182929394_771b82b91e_o.jpg”] A small dinosaur [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/13182660875_4a6961dbfd_o.jpg”] Face-to-face [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/13182660175_0926e4fc40_o.jpg”] Look at the details on the reconstructed skin [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/13182778483_c074db1975_o.jpg”] You can tell a dinosaur’s eating preference from it’s teeth shape [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/13182925564_4616b2068c_o.jpg”] Fossil [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/13182656615_db4ea25a8a_o.jpg”] Bones [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/13182923564_b859ed4805_o.jpg”] Bones [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/13182654605_01d0be9072_o.jpg”] Mammoth-like creature [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2159/13182774223_9937532bfc_o.jpg”] With the young ones [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/13182921154_50991f212b_o.jpg”] Bones [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/13182920394_19a53a274e_o.jpg”] Bones [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/13182771393_146d362517_o.jpg”] Dinosaur in motion [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/13182770403_4332b42f6a_o.jpg”] Brontosaurus [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/13182770213_f0e7196bbe_o.jpg”] Bones [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/13182648315_3f72f37fc0_o.jpg”] Guided tour [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/13182914524_07f92947d6_o.jpg”] Dinosaur heads [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/13182644325_7bf92a809f_o.jpg”] Reconstruction [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/13182911154_b4dc1c1439_o.jpg”] Late Jurassic [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2161/13182641225_2c351831cb_o.jpg”] Distinct head shape [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/13182638355_f9ee2399ed_o.jpg”] Ribs [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/13182905494_a48c5c6dbb_o.jpg”] Reconstruction [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/13182636695_8529bc0482_o.jpg”] Fossil [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/13182755273_6a6cfea6aa_o.jpg”] Reconstruction [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2118/13182634285_e2d9529511_o.jpg”] Fossil [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/13182750363_c115cc4b75_o.jpg”] The mighty T-Rex [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/13182898064_ed93d10398_o.jpg”] Feet [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/13182748993_d6ff9ac437_o.jpg”] Various head shapes [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/13182747383_f6974c3949_o.jpg”] Various head shapes [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/13182745883_ff31fb2c17_o.jpg”] Fossils [/image_slider] source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2062/13182891364_ce8d8264d8_o.jpg”] Surviving dinosaurs [/image_slider]

[/image_sliders]

There is a gallery near the end which features a reconstruction of what dinosaurs may look like in their natural habitat. This was my favourite part of the exhibition:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/13182894214_ff67e56ced_o.jpg”] Hunting [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/13182627175_a4fd2af98c_o.jpg”] How dinosaurs may have lived [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/13182893384_23dcf53c99_o.jpg”] Swarm [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1okrf3F” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/13182624425_ff496f2203_o.jpg”] Bird-like dinosaur [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]

Key fossils on display include a 18m long Apatosaurus, a 17.6m long Lessemsaurus sauropod specimen, a 2-billion year old rock (Banded Iron Formation), a new fossil of Adeopapposaurs discovered in Argentina late last year:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/13182903394_8c80c23762_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/13182903394_8c80c23762_o.jpg”] Real fossil [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/13182755823_4de8d3091f_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/13182755823_4de8d3091f_o.jpg”] Real fossil  [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13182642675_c8387f8656_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13182642675_c8387f8656_o.jpg”] Prehistoric rocks  [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/13182663235_01a407c5b4_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/13182663235_01a407c5b4_o.jpg”] Rocks [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]

I know the large dinosaur models are going to get most of the attention, but don’t missed out on the paintings and illustrations on the wall by Peter Trusler. The Australian artist known for his work on wildlife art, as well as for his scientifically rigorous reconstructions of prehistoric fauna. This is as close as it gets to visualising what dinosaurs and their natural habitats really look like:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/13182752993_56682953f3_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/13182752993_56682953f3_o.jpg”] Reconstructed drawing of a dinosaur carcass [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/13182903044_18a688c7b2_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/13182903044_18a688c7b2_o.jpg”] Research sketch based on the discovered bones  [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13182907704_afdc5edca1_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13182907704_afdc5edca1_o.jpg”] Research sketch  [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/13182908284_43896c23f5_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/13182908284_43896c23f5_o.jpg”] Research drawing [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/13182908624_35eb4197f1_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/13182908624_35eb4197f1_o.jpg”] Prehistoric moment reconstructed in painting [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/13182765143_cc7a8306fd_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/13182765143_cc7a8306fd_o.jpg”] What a scene in prehistoric time would have looked like [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/13182913584_0998dcbdfc_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/13182913584_0998dcbdfc_o.jpg”] Research drawings [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]

A series of engaging workshops and performances is also organized for visitors:

• ‘Stop Motion Dinosaur Wipe-out!’ – Film and dinosaur enthusiasts can create their own stop motion animation based on one of the main theories of mass dinosaur extinction: asteroid impact, climate change or volcanic eruptions.
• ‘Dinosaur Tale”- Presented by local puppet theatre company, Paper Monkey Theatre, visitors will be taken on a journey of how animal life adapted over 600 million years, presented through magical puppetry.
• ‘Sketch-a-fossil’- A drawing workshop conducted by Isabelle Desjeux, a scientist turned artist, who brings fossils to life by having visitors draw them in detail and placing the art piece in a pre-historic landscape.
• ‘Sculpture Fun’ – Visitors can try their hands at carving their own sculpted fossil, be it a shell or bone, out of soap to bring home.

To further personalise the overall dinosaur experience, visitors can download a free mobile app, “ArtScience Museum: Dinosaurs Dawn to Extinction”, where interactive and educational features are specially rendered for different segments of the exhibition. Incorporated in the mobile application is also a game component – Rex Race, which allows visitors to race their virtual dinosaurs to the museum in the shortest possible time:

“Dawn2Extinction” is available for free download on iPhone 4 and 5, iPod touch, and Android phones.

Rachel and I brought Asher to the exhibition to learn about dinosaurs. He had a lot of fun. The exhibition has many interactive installations catered for children, keeping them entertained while learning about science at the same time:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/13182785883_26a5925785_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/13182785883_26a5925785_o.jpg”] Asher having fun [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/13182662945_37d89bea02_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/13182662945_37d89bea02_o.jpg”] Checking out one of the interactive exhibits  [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13182659655_7f3b0888e3_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13182659655_7f3b0888e3_o.jpg”] Learning from the signboard  [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/13182750753_bd4054d5be_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/13182750753_bd4054d5be_o.jpg”] Making a new friend [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/13182622115_8744f3a905_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/13182622115_8744f3a905_o.jpg”] Dancing at the mirror exhibits [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13182899914_af809d07c1_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13182899914_af809d07c1_o.jpg”] Checking out how a dinosaur walks [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/13182617075_edc49da259_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/13182617075_edc49da259_o.jpg”] Making a free paper dinosaur to take home [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/13182886144_9b5fb2e741_o.jpg” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/13182886144_9b5fb2e741_o.jpg”] Completed paper dinosaurs [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/13182909774_d14e469ba9_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/13182909774_d14e469ba9_o.jpg”] Running away from a light projected dinosaur image [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/13182617885_c2a1936cd0_o.jpg” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/13182617885_c2a1936cd0_o.jpg”] The free paper dinosaurs were sponsored by Canon [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]

If you are interested to head down to the ArtScience Museum for this exhibition, do your booking online or get the family package for greater savings:

Just for the March school holidays, the museum will be hosting a sleepover on 16 and 21 March 2014 6.30pm to 10am the following day. This is Night at the Museum comes to life.

The admission for sleepover is S$120 per child (only for children aged 6 to 12 years). Free for accompanying adults. Maximum four children per adult. The number of adults must not exceed the number of children per booking. Visit the official website for booking enquiries.