Visitors and guests attending the launch of the eating Creepy Crawlies exhibition at Sensation Dundee were showered with thousands of "insects" when Sir Alan Langlands, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Dundee, and Sensation's Chief Executive officer, Paul Jennings pressed the big red launch button, this evening.
Coming in from the gloomy rain, guests were immediately surrounded by a cheery atmosphere of jungle mist and jungle noises. They heard how the centre had been conducting an experiment in the center's laboratory releasing frequencies into the air above the centre that match those of the mating calls of the female locust.
Paul Jennings, explained that the frequencies were especially potent when the centre was busy. Guests were puzzled and intrigued. There was a clear sense that something was about to happen. At that precise moment, to the boom of a loud bang thousands of insect- like paper spiders and life-like luminous larvae came cascading down.
Together Sir Alan Langlands and Paul Jennings, declared Dundee's most significant summer exhibition, open.
Mr Jennings proclaimed the premier evening a monumental launch deserving accolades and every inch of support from the Dundee community. He added, "The degree of support we have received from every sector, ranging from visiting school groups throughout June, to the many daily visitors, is a clear indication of how valuable an exhibition of this kind is to Dundee and to the promotion of science."
A CD with images of the launch, exhibition and publicity shots is free to use and available from sensation Dundee.
Notes to Editor
Sensation Dundee shares its third birthday with the anniversary of Charles Darwin's presentation to the Linnae Society on 1 July 1858 on his thoughts on the Struggle for existence, which amounts to: 'not the strongest or the most intelligent that survive but the ones that adapt to their environment and change'. Sir Alan attended the premier evening of Eating Creepy Crawlies as the guest of honor alongside other senior leaders from Dundee companies, tourism bodies, cultural quarter and academic institutes.
Sir Alan Langlands, (50) Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dundee University is one of Scotland's most gifted public service leaders.
A creative thinker and doer who is an increasingly influential figure well beyond the field of higher education who is listed as no. 17 in the 100 most influential people in Scotland.
Paul Jennings, (32) Sensation Dundee's Chief Executive started work for Sensation Dundee in October 2001.
Eating Creepy Crawlies is a 200sqm exhibition, which includes two giant animatronics models of a Stick Insect and Desert Locust. The exhibition mixes real specimens, with graphic panels and stunning photographs from the book Man Eating Bugs, by Peter Menzel.
The centre opens daily at 10am - 6pm. Coach parties and group visits are welcome (advance booking essential).
Media Enquiries:
Tanja Stephen
Marketing Manager
Sensation Dundee
Tel: 01382 868604.
Email: tanja.stephen@sensation.org.uk
Further information: www.sensation.org.uk
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk