Urgent times. Emergent futures.

EMERGENCE[Y] brings together artists, scientists, and collaborators from around the globe to explore how we adapt to a world in flux. In an age marked by ecological collapse, technological acceleration, and social upheaval, adaptation becomes not only a biological imperative but a creative and ethical act. How might we not only survive through change but emerge in a critically reimagined future?

Spanning from the cellular to the planetary, EMERGENCE[Y] explores how adaptation unfolds in every layer of life – from the regenerative promise of stem cells to the movement of Martian winds. Engage with the interconnected crises and possibilities of our time through regenerative coral soundscapes, resilient fungal fashion, First Nations knowledge of the Birrarung and a vertical city farm.

Conceived as a living, adaptive ecosystem this exhibition is both a warning and an invitation – to grow, to listen, to reconfigure, and to act.

FREE ADMISSION
Opening 6 June 2026

Content warning: Contains potential allergens, references to the climate crisis, the concept of death and medical themes.

  • Tilly Boleyn, Melinda Brook, Jeanette Chan, Bern Hall, Shirley Liu, Qian Mo Cui, Cass Norland

  • Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Professor Todd Lane, Professor Megan Munsie, Professor Jacqueline Peel, Angharad Wynne-Jones

  • Dr Linden Ashcroft, Ryuta Aoki, Jake Archbold, Prof Ken Arnold, Marco Barotti, David Bowen, Daniel Browning, Disnovation, Tega Brain, KS Brewer, Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, Liu Chuang, Creative Climate, Kate Coleman, Martine de Vries, Chelle Destefano, Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm, A/Prof Claire Farrell, Prof Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Helen Flett, Peter Fox, Nick Fox, Jessie French, System Gardens, Greenspace, Prof Lesley Head, Dr Jacqueline Healy, Peter Hennessey, Dr Sara Howden, Malene Hviid Saxtorph, Troy Innocent, Miyuki Jokiranta, Jarra Karalinar Steel, Ben Kirby, Takeshi Kondo, Luisa Lauer, Sam Lavigne, Prof Melissa Little, A/Prof Nir Lipovetzky, Dr Rohan Long, Amy Lucassen, Nicolas Maigret, Martti Maimets, Pernille Matzen, Virginia McNally, Monash University Museum of Art, Prof Megan Munsie, Lana Nguyen, Other Matter, Alia Parker, Patricia Piccinini, Dr Adam Piers, Prof Enzo Porrello, Eliki Reade, Anthony Romano, Maria Roszkowska, Sunshine College, SWISP Lab, Dr Jessica Vanslambrouck, Dr Kellie Veen, A/Prof Silvia Velasco, Victorian College of the Deaf, Mathias Warnich, Laure Weir, Dr Rhiannon Werder, Louise Whiteley, White Rabbit Gallery, Dr Wang Zhigang, Angharad Wynne-Jones.

  • Studio Peter King, io Design Company

  • Andrew Goddard, Floreancig Smith, Flys Alone Painting, Get Rigged, Image Box, Modular Components & Automation, Paul Masson, RMG, Studio Tops, Synthesis Design & Build, Theatre Safe Australia

  • Tilly Boleyn, Ian Bunyi, Jesse Chambers, Charlie Christie, Jack Farley, Gabrielle Capes, Bern Hall, Louis Kennedy, Shirley Liu, Vhairi Mackintosh, Hannah Miller, James Paul, Meg Taylor, Grace Terry, Erin Milne, Nicky Pastore, Bridgette Van Leuven, Ethel Villafranca.

    With the spark and support of the entire Museums and Collections Department at the University of Melbourne.

MEDIA RELEASE
EMERGENCE[Y] broadcast: Exhibition coming soon
EMERGENCE[Y] broadcast: Exhibition coming soon

In an age marked by ecological collapse, technological acceleration and social upheaval, our next exhibition EMERGENCE[Y] explores how we adapt to a world in flux.

EVENTS
Guided tours
June 27
Guided tours

Seeking a guided experience? Join one of our Mediators on a guided tour of EMERGENCE[Y] exhibition highlights.

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