Melbourne Museum's Learning Lab is a pioneering digital immersive learning space, offering unique, co-creative workshops that inspire participants to contribute to a thriving future.
Open to audiences of all ages, the Learning Lab encourages exploration as curious, creative, and collaborative learners. Its bridges museum collections and exhibitions with digital technologies, fostering skills development and meaningful co-creation.
Included with museum entry
Adult $18
Senior $12
Child 16 Years & Under Free
Members Free
Date & Time
Open 9am to 5pm
Key information
The Learning Lab Studio is reserved for education programs during the school term, typically from 9:30am to 2:30pm on weekdays. The space may also occasionally close for technical updates or special events. We appreciate your understanding.
PROGRAM
Metamorphosis
Venture into the microcosm and explore the beautiful transformation of the Orchard Swallowtail.
Metamorphosis is an immersive short film documenting the life cycle of the Orchard Swallowtail — from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly.
Captured using digital cinema cameras and powerful macro lenses, months of growth and change are compressed into a 5-minute cinematic experience to reveal these delicate creatures as they come to life.
Metamorphosis unfolds as a meditative observation of the smallest parts of our world, highlighting the beauty and complexity that often goes unseen.
Filmed by Melbourne-based filmmaker Josef Gatti, with composition and sound design by musician John-Paul James, in collaboration with Museums Victoria and Zoos Victoria.
Director, Cinematographer, Editor: Josef Gatti
Composer, Sound Designer, Mixer: John-Paul James
Producer: Rob Innes
Museums Victoria: Ali Sanderson, Maik Fiedel, Richard Pilkington
Zoos Victoria: Melvin Nathan
THE GIANTS IMMERSIVE
Experience the Magic of Ancient Forests
THE GIANTS IMMERSIVE transports the audience into the heart of Australia's ancient forests which are home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on earth. It is a world of epic proportions and often sublime beauty, which is brought to life on screen with a mix of cinematography and 3D-scan animation.
The monumental video installation is a collaboration between the film's directors Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony at General Strike and French artist Alex Le Guillou, and expands upon their work on the award-winning film The Giants.
The work explores the often-hidden life cycle of trees and draws attention to the plight of these Gondwana-era forests which are under threat from logging and mining.
Laurence Billiet
Laurence Billiet (she/her) is co-founder of Melbourne creative studio General Strike. Former founder of Lonely Planet Television, she has executive produced major international series including Lonely Planet Six Degrees. Her debut feature documentary FREEMAN was the most-watched Australian documentary of 2020.
Rachael Antony
Rachael Antony (she/her) is co-founder and Head Writer at General Strike. With over 20 years’ experience as a writer, journalist and producer, she has worked across television, digital and print, including award-winning web series and major projects for SBS and ABC, most recently as Script Editor on FREEMAN.
River Connections
Come on a journey which celebrates the life of Victoria’s river environments.
Learning Lab's River Connections is an immersive projection experience made in collaboration with First Peoples community members exploring their close connections to the land, animals, plants and rivers of Victoria.
The five-minute experience takes audiences on a journey through the unique environment of the Murray River. It explores how all life is connected and dependent on a healthy environment to thrive, however overuse of the waterways and pollution from human activities put this at risk.
Each scene, image and sound, as well as the overall structure, was developed through a consultative and collaborative process of Deep Listening sessions and visiting Elders on Country.
This inspiring infinity projection of a beautiful river environment reminds viewers that we are all part of a dynamic web of life.
Created by Grumpy Sailor and Museums Victoria in collaboration with First Peoples Elders and artists Larry Walsh, Esther Kirby, Brendan Kennedy and Consultant Curator, Genevieve Grieves. Voiceover by Esther Kirby.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.
