GIANT spiders the size of dinner plates form the centrepiece of a three-month exhibition at QVMAG, exploring the weird and wonderful world of Tasmanian giant cave spiders.
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The exhibition runs from April 2 to June 19 and features model spiders, artworks, research discoveries, and a room filled with cobwebs.
Dr Alastair Richardson, academic director at Bookend Trust, said the exhibition explored the behavioural patterns of Tasmanian giant cave spiders.
“One of the things we’re interested in is the reproductive cycle of the spiders. Because in many cases, reproduction is a dangerous process, particularly the male spider. It gets eaten as a result,” he said.
The project is a collaboration between Dr Richardson and distinguished author Neil Gaiman, who’s written a book and documentary film to be released in the US in October.
Dr Richardson said last Summer he worked with Mr Gaiman during filming.
Two books will be released on the project, including artwork from the exhibition and a fantasy novel.
The main prey of the spiders is cave crickets, he said, playing an integral part in the tale.
He said the history of the cave’s biology is also a central element in the story.
“It all starts inside in a cave, it’s got to, because there’s no source of food inside. What the streams bring in, what the roots bring in, that’s the whole source of the food chain.”
The exhibition attracted about 2000 people in just a single week in Hobart, he said, and would also appear in Kangaroo Island and Sydney.
Sixteen Legs: Into the Cave is currently featuring at QVMAG in the Exhibition Gallery at Inveresk.
