Shimmering "planets" of hairywood ants - the biggest insect of its kind in Britain - will glow through the fading light as night-time falls on Coed-y-Brenin forest on Saturday, 13 February.
The unusual constellation of at least three spheres will light up the forest along some of its famous cycling and walking trails which snake out from the Forestry Commission Wales visitor centre between 6pm and 8pm.
The exhibition, called Superorganism, is the brainchild of Pembrokeshire-based artist Alison Hayes, who spent months filming the rarely-observed ants going about their busy lives in Coed-y-Brenin.
The forest, just outside Dolgellau, provides a habitat for many threatened species and is the most southerly location in the UK where the elusive hairywood ants can be found.
The installation is part of FC Wales's support for the United Nations, which has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.
Images of millions of the ants, which take their name from the bushy hairs around their eyes and measure over one centimetre in length, will be beamed onto the eight-feet diameter spheres which will be suspended between trees and appear to float in space.
"The spheres symbolise both ant nest and planet," said Alison. "The forest stretches out black and vast like a universe, with the stars above and the sounds from the forest filling the darkness around while the busy planets of ants actively glow within."
She gathered material for the mesmerising exhibition by observing hairywood ant colonies in Coed-y-Brenin between May and December, and was fascinated by the ants' behaviour.
"Ants have inspired scientists, philosophers, artists, writers and sociologists to develop theories about the behaviour of ants in relation to human life.
"Ants work collectively together, they have armies, make war, defend territories, hunt, farm other creatures, share food and build elaborate structures for their home," she said.
The installation’s title, Superorganism, is a scientific term used to describe the fact that ants can only thrive when grouped as a colony.
If you'd like to take advantage of this rare chance to get a close-up view of the strange world of these ants, which can build nests up to seven feet tall, come to the Coed-y-Brenin Visitor Centre on Saturday, 13 February by 6pm. Hot drinks and food will be available.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Forestry Commission Wales is the government department responsible for forestry policy and looks after the 126,000 hectares (311,000 acres ) of public forests owned by the Welsh Assembly Government.
More information on the woodlands of Wales is available on www.forestry.gov.uk/wales
Alison Hayes is a video/sound/installation artist whose past works have explored themes relating to wildness. She often works with science specialists and has recorded images of migration and swarming patterns in birds and insects to create installations of arresting beauty which demand a contemplation on the nature of space and time.
Hayes has exhibited widely nationally and internationally and has received a number of major awards. Superorganism was developed in collaboration with the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, through a public art residency supported by The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. It has also received grant support from Safle, a public art agency supporting public art in rural locations, and Forestry Commission Wales.
For further information on the Superorganism installation or any of Alison's work, visit www.alisonhayes.net or call her on 07980 706001.