2005 Volume 21 Pages 61-70
The general public is generally not very familiar with diatoms, although they play very important roles in the global ecosystem and are in a number of ways closely related to our existence. One approach that promises to be helpful in terms of increasing the popular awareness of diatoms is the exhibition of diatoms. One such exhibition was produced in the context of a collaboration between the biology and art departments of Tokyo Gakugei University. The exhibition featured the following items: artworks representing the morphological beauty of diatoms as a motif, graphic displays showing various biological and applied aspects of diatoms, stereograms of diatoms, and diatom slides and specimens accompanied by light and scanning electron microscopy. A questionnaire survey to participating visitors of the exhibition suggested that the morphological beauty of the diatoms was sufficient to leave a strong impression, and the graphic designs and the spatial arrangement of the exhibition facilitated the acquisition of information regarding various features of diatoms; moreover, the observation of diatoms via the visitors' operation of light and electron microscopes enhanced their overall interest in diatoms. In addition, answers onthe questionnaire indicated that word-of-mouth advertisement was the most effective means of disseminating information about the exhibition to members of the public who had not yet known about diatoms.
