During both my visits to Kew Gardens I was impressed by this strange installation, not far from the Elisabeth Gate: the Hive. I found the sight and sounds of the Hive irresistible. And this attraction has something important to say, too.
Pollination plays an important part in our food security. One third of global crop yield is dependent on bees and other pollinators. This is what this hive is all about.
Honeybees
Honeybees communicate by vibrating messages to the colony against the honey comb they live on.
The Hive represents the different levels of vibrations recorded from within Kew’s beehives. The pulsing of nearly 1,000 LED lights and the swell of orchestral music mirror the changing intensity of the recorded vibrations. What an experience!
Pressing question
In highlighting the importance of pollination in our food chain, the Hive poses one of the most pressing questions of our time: how can we protect our pollinators to secure we can feed our growing human population?
All photos taken by Ivonne Smit.
Video
Watch the 2 minute video of the Hive:
