Saturday 18 June 2016

The Calyx’s first exhibition, Sweet Addiction

Introducing Sydney’s newest attraction at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney See another side of nature and experience its stories in an unexpected way at The Calyx, which forms the centerpiece of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s 200th birthday. 

The Calyx (pron. kal-iks, def. ‘The outermost whorl of flowers’) is a world-class horticultural space that will showcase ever-changing exhibitions, launching with Sweet Addiction – the botanic story of chocolate. Curated by internationally renowned Director of Horticulture Management at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Jimmy Turner, Sweet Addiction is an opportunity to touch, see, smell, taste and experience chocolate like never before. 

The story begins in the depths of a tropical rainforest, and takes visitors on a journey through chocolate plantations, ancient history and a Lindt mill, culminating in the delightful chocolatier room. Sweet Addiction features the southern hemisphere’s largest contiguous green wall, with over 18,000 plants arranged into living artworks representing the Mayan God of Chocolate, a traditional chocolate box, and more. 

The exhibition will be ongoing through to April 2017, with interactive chocolate-themed activities taking place throughout the exhibition period. 

Major sponsor Lindt, will host chocolate demonstrations in the chocolatier room during The Calyx opening weekend and peak Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter seasons. 

Under the guidance of Lindt Master Chocolatier, Swissborn Thomas Schnetzler, visitors will learn to appreciate chocolate the way experts do whilst sampling the latest creations from the world’s finest chocolate-maker, Lindt. 

“The Calyx is a fusion of art, theatre and flora with themed exhibitions that address conservation and environmental issues in an imaginative, accessible way yet to be seen in Australia. 

It’s Broadway for plants, and Sweet Addiction is our first show – complete with lights, sounds and a few surprises along the way,” said Turner. 

Built at the site of the Arc Glasshouse in the Palace Precinct (enter via the Woolloomooloo, Morshead or Palace Garden Gates) of the Garden, the intelligent and sensitive architecture of The Calyx will reinvent itself through emotive and informative exhibitions that change regularly. 

NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said, “Almost four million people visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney each year, and with exhibitions at The Calyx changing on a regular basis, The Calyx is set to be one of Sydney’s top nature-based attractions for tourists and locals alike”.

“We are excited to showcase Sweet Addiction as the first exhibition within The Calyx as it will no doubt draw international attention to NSW.” 

Sweet Addiction will run from 11 June 2016 to April 2017 from 10 am to 4 pm daily, and has been designed as a 45 minute experience. 

The Calyx is wheelchair accessible. Tickets are available now at thecalyx.com.au.  Lindt is the major chocolate sponsor of The Calyx at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. 

In The Chocolatier Room, visitors will have the opportunity to educate themselves about the history and art of Lindt Chocolate including how it’s made, common myths and facts about chocolate, and sample the latest Lindt Chocolates. Lindt Master Chocolatier, Thomas Schnetzler will be present at most chocolate demonstration sessions throughout the exhibition.

Dates for The Chocolatier Room: The Calyx Opening Weekend 11-13 June 2016 16-17 July 2016 Christmas Season Weekends 10-11 December 2016 17-18 December 2016 Valentine’s Day Weekend 11-12 February 2017 Easter Weekend 8-9 April 2017 

Sweet Addiction at The Calyx Royal Botanic Garden Sydney 

Enter via Woolloomooloo, Morshead and Palace Gates 
Instagram: @rbgsydney 
Facebook: /RoyalBotanicGarden 
Twitter: @RBGSydney #TheCalyx

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