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Natural History Museum Unveils Visions of Nature MR

Natural History Museum Unveils Visions of Nature MR
Natural History Museum Unveils New MR Feature Visions of Nature

The Natural History Museum is stepping into the future with its latest immersive exhibit, ‘Visions of Nature’. This experience takes visitors on a journey to the year 2125, offering a glimpse into how human actions have shaped the natural world. It explores how nature has adapted to the challenges of the 21st century, demonstrating the resilience of species and the vital role humans have played in aiding their survival. From the Scottish Highlands to Africa’s Great Green Wall, the exhibit highlights the beauty and diversity of the natural world, inspiring visitors to become advocates for environmental protection.

Powered by Microsoft’s mixed reality headsets, the experience is the result of a collaboration with SAOLA Studio, a creative firm specializing in augmented reality experiences for cultural institutions. The narrative is informed by the latest scientific research from Museum scientists, ensuring that it reflects accurate and current ecological knowledge.

Visitors interact with holographic species through Microsoft’s headset, bringing creatures such as cuttlefish, Darwin’s frog, and coconut crabs to life within the Museum’s Darwin Centre. The exhibit features a selection of the Museum’s 80 million physical specimens, providing a dynamic blend of real-world artefacts and digital animation.

A built-in scientific guide, named Hope, leads the journey, narrating each story. At one point, visitors are invited to extend their hand to greet a Darwin’s frog, which hops away to explore its urban park habitat in Concepción, Chile. This species was once on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, but the introduction of captive breeding programmes in the 21st century allowed it to thrive in urban settings.

Another scene showcases the effects of Arctic ice sheet loss, revealing a future where crossbreeding between narwhals and beluga whales has created a new species, known as ‘narlugas’. In 2125, these thriving populations are monitored with AI technology to ensure their protection. Visitors can observe these families playing with floating kelp, illustrating the harmonious interaction between wildlife and their changing environment.

Dr Alex Burch, Director of Public Programmes at the Natural History Museum, explained that Visions of Nature is an innovative and immersive experience, marking a first for the Museum. The exhibit offers stunning visuals while delivering a powerful message about the potential impact of today’s actions on the future of the planet. It fast-forwards to show how nature has responded to centuries of human industrial activity, as well as the interventions introduced to mitigate environmental damage. The hope is that visitors will leave the exhibit feeling empowered to engage in discussions about the future they want to create and motivated to take action in response to the global environmental crisis.

Jeremy Frey, Co-founder and Director at SAOLA Studio, expressed pride in collaborating with the Museum on this groundbreaking project. He noted that the use of Microsoft HoloLens 2 technology enables visitors to experience the future in all its complexity, from the marvellous to the unsettling. SAOLA’s creative team has worked to bring lifelike creatures to the exhibit, ensuring that the beauty and wonder of today’s wildlife is vividly projected into the future. This immersive journey challenges visitors to consider how human-animal coexistence could look in a more balanced world. While the road ahead is long, Frey hopes that ‘Visions of Nature’ will inspire visitors to start making positive changes today.

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