Sexual Nature

Standing outside the tinted windows, subtly lowering my voice to ask for ‘one adult’, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat displaced at the Natural History Museum, the scenario feeling more akin to one very awkward evening in an Amsterdam night club.

This is Sexual Nature, the latest exhibition at the Natural History Museum, a frank and informative exploration of the mating habits of the lotharios of the animal kingdom.

Facilitated by gently billowing chiffon curtains, soft focus black and white photographs of amorous animal folk and a late night Channel 5 soundtrack, Sexual Nature sure knows how to get people in the mood…for education. From snails to whales, asexual cloning to dolphin orgies (a ‘wuzzle’, if you will) the exhibition offers an informative and entertaining insight into the parts of animal biology that are too often left out of our textbooks or resigned to vague pencil sketches. With the use of video footage and intricately positioned taxidermy, we are granted a rare insight into the boudoirs of the animal world.

One of the highlights comes from the series of short films directed by and featuring Isabella Rossellini  in association with the Sundance Channel – the much talked about Green Porno. In a venture which would make David Lynch proud, Rossellini welcomes us into the world of animal mating amidst a set which could only have been designed with a special consultation with primary school children – and liberal servings of papier mache combined with various coloured lycra onesies – all contributing to suitably awkward, yet hilarious, viewing amongst strangers.

After overcoming the initial shock of seeing Ms Rossellini writhing as her salmon eggs are sprayed with sperm (toothpaste), Green Porno does actually offer some interesting factoids which, if anything, will make insightful dinner party conversations.

Did you know snails (and apparently Isabella Rossellini) enjoy a spot of S&M during sex, extending pointed darts to tantalise their partners? I shall leave it for you to decide for yourselves but after this particular film, I am crossing my fingers that should the Buddhists have got it right and we are all set for reincarnation, I do not want to return to this earth as a snail.

Now I may have had some fragrant boyfriends in the past but from Sexual Nature’s explanation of nature’s Lynx effect where animals use their scent to seduce potential partners, these boys had nothing on the wild stag. That stuff really gets to the back of your throat. More reasons to be thankful we are human. Right next to the revelation that male stick insects stay on their partners’ backs for five months after doing the deed and that male pigs produce half a litre of sperm… But the prize for nature’s biggest hussy’s goes to Great Barrier Reef coral whose mass spawning awards them the accolade of the biggest sex act on earth – definitely something to bear in mind when booking that romantic snorkelling holiday.

It is difficult to describe my enjoyment of this exhibition without sounding like a liability… Nonetheless, it is refreshing to see the unspoken side of science celebrated in an exhibition. While there are still definitely questions I would have liked to ask (do animals kiss?) it was a unique experience to be amongst throngs of people, a veritable wuzzle of learning, discovering more about the one thing that ties us to the animal kingdom, our predilection for lovemaking.

But please, spare a thought for those poor hedgehogs who must spend their days precariously poised atop one another. I just hope they got them the right way round…

Sexual Nature is showing until October 2, 2011 at:

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
SW7 5BD

Tickets: £8 (£4 concession). Book online here.