Rising like alien creatures from the green depths of the lily pond in the Botanic Garden’s Begonia House for the next month are photo installations by Wellington photographer Paul Thompson.

As well as enjoying the floral brilliance of the begonias, orchids and the last of the water lilies, visitors will be able to check out the The Philosopher's Garden exhibition from Thursday 22 February until Friday 30 March, 9.00am to 5.00pm daily.

The exhibition features photographs, which explore the ideas that ancient Greek philosophers debated in their gardens, displayed on slender metal stilts that are reminders of the steel structures that make up conservatories. The stilts stand in the lily pond supporting cubes of photos.

Photographer Paul Thompson is fascinated by the ways the Greeks structured the world through the idea of the basic elements of earth, air, water, fire and the things the stars are made of.

"They also discovered many of our ideas of geometry and rationality so their gardens were places pivotal to the development of Western and indeed modern thinking," he says.  "That's why I thought the gardens were a more appropriate venue for this exhibition than a gallery."

Wellington City Council's Culture and Arts Portfolio Leader Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer says Botanic Garden staff have always regarded the gardens as places for education and research as well as enjoyment and recreation.

"That's why we regularly feature art and other programmes in all our botanic gardens," he says. "We have a fantastic collection of sculptures in the Botanic Garden and also host events like the recent Earthworks Sculpture Showcase which involved eight of New Zealand's best hard rock sculptors.

"Paul's exhibition is something different again and especially appropriate as it celebrates and comments on the historical role of gardens."

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