ANOHA Berlin

Instead of imitating the historical and biblical ark designs, ANOHA represents the modern type of ark, which is inspired by two apparently different sources: an old Sumerian text, which was discovered one decade ago and describes a circular ark, and the spaceship from Stanley Kubrick’s movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”.

According to the biblical legend, the ark was an impressive vessel, which Noah built and used to save his family and all animal species from the flood.
The narrative design created by the Seattle Architects invites young visitors from the age of 3 to re-enact, to understand and to re-invent the legend of the flood, of the saving ark and of the new beginning by using the approach of contemporary interactions. In their exploration children are joined by 150 imaginative animal sculptures positioned at the work bench, the water path or in the section that is named „Tell us a story of a/your better world”. The ark, designed as a timber construction, is meant to be used as an interactive place to discover, explore and play. A place, where young visitors shall be inspired to think about the respectful co-existence of humans, animals and nature and encouraged to actively work for a diverse and better world. Even less attractive and less liked animals, like the naked mole rat, have their space and stand for respect, open-mindedness and tolerance towards anything and anyone that might seem strange at first sight. The mammoth - an extinct species - and the polar bear - a highly threatened species - focus the attention of children and adults to important topics, such as environmental problems and climate change pointing out, at the same time, which options each of us has to start rethinking and to actively implement proactive measures.

The animal sculptures have been designed by selected artists and are made from found items and recycled materials. These sculptures can be explored in a manifold way either as a monkey bar, a hammock, or a cosy cave. Treasures want to be discovered, sounds want to be heard, and thoughts and ideas want to be implemented. By the way, one crucial consulting service, which was indispensable to secure the success of the project, was rendered by the children themselves.
A Children’s Advisory Council, especially initiated for this project and made up of children aged 8 - 11, actively contributed to the implementation of the Children’s World.