[ISL] "The Ark, '70s experiment in sustainable living, explored at new exhibit"

[rfmcdonald]

CBC News reports on a fascinating story. The Ark deserves to be better known.

It attracted hippies, hippie-gawkers, tourists, researchers in sustainable living and even Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

It's the Ark.

The architectural experiment in sustainable living built at Spry Point, P.E.I., in the 1970s is the subject of a new exhibit at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

The exhibit "Living Lightly on the Earth," which opens Oct. 22, looks at the construction of the Ark, described as "an early exploration in weaving together the sun, wind, biology and architecture for the benefit of humanity."

The Ark was completed 40 years ago by Solsearch Architects and the New Alchemy Institute, and its opening day attracted hundreds including prime minister Trudeau.

"Even today, many people in the Maritimes and around the world have heard of the P.E.I. Ark, and are inspired by the vision it represents," exhibition curator Steven Mannell said in a statement. "But it's mostly understood in almost mythical terms. This exhibition presents the Ark as both a vision, and a reality."