World Science Festival Brisbane celebrates the International Year of the Fly

Wednesday, March 20 – Sunday, March 24, 2019 In celebration of World Science Festival Brisbane and the International Year of the Fly 2019 we will be projecting Queensland Museum’s Collection Images onto the William Jolly Bridge from 20-24 March 2019, 5:30-10pm nightly. During the World Science Festival Brisbane, world-leading scientists, communicators and performers from across the globe will ignite new and challenging discussions, uncover the science that makes us human, take up arms against super-bugs, pose questions about our planet’s future and look to the day when we leave our Earth-bound existence behind to become a space-faring civilisation. In 2019 World Science Festival Brisbane also celebrates YEAR OF THE FLY. The year 2019 was formally designated as international "Year of the Fly" at the 9th International Congress of Dipterology in Windhoek, Namibia in November 2018. From disease vectors and waste removal to pollination and future food sources, the humble and much maligned fly significantly impacts life on earth.  2019 is intended as a celebration of flies and their role in nature and human society. During the year the intention is to educate the general public about the diversity, significance and beauty of flies and how they affect our lives. How and why do we take photographs of insects in such high detail ? Queensland Museum staff research, sort, document and care for a growing collection of fragile insect specimens, some dating back to the 1870s. New technology allows us to capture and preserve the details and beauty of insects not visible to the naked eye. This selection of images is produced with a focus-stacking imaging method. Up to two hundred individual photographs are taken of the specimen allowing the camera to focus on microscopic details. When the final images are combined they produce a highly-detailed single image. These images contribute to the Museum’s role in sharing resources digitally, allowing researchers around the world to examine specimens remotely and reducing the need to loan them. The images have been selected from Queensland Museum’s Entomology collection and were taken by Collection Imager Geoff Thompson.    World Science Festival Brisbane is a world celebration of science in the heart of Brisbane from 20-24 March 2019 presented by Queensland Museum. Artwork information: Dorsal view of a bee fly by Queensland Museum Collection Imager Geoff Thompson, 2018 focus stacked digital images. Photographs © Queensland Museum, Geoff Thompson. Projection Specimens: Antissa Notha (Soldier Fly), Anthracinae (Bee Fly), Rutilia sp. Fly, Amenia sp. (Yellow-faced Blow Fly). Venue address: William Jolly Bridge, Brisbane City Venue: William Jolly Bridge, Brisbane City Parent event: World Science Festival Event type: Art, Free