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The experience follows a pod of endangered orcas struggling for survival in the Pacific Ocean
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 16 Sep 2021
Guests will witness first-hand the challenges orcas must overcome to survive Credit: Andrew Harrington and Joshua Downs, Formative Co.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) will soon launch an augmented reality experience that highlights the connection between man, orcas and the ocean.
Called ‘Critical Distance’, the experience opens on September 29 and is billed as a ‘social experience’. It follows a pod of 24 endangered southern resident orcas struggling for survival in the Salish Sea in the Pacific Ocean.
Wearing Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed-reality headsets, visitors will witness first-hand the challenges the orcas must overcome in order to survive.
Before donning their headsets guests will learn about the real-life versions of the orcas, including six-year-old Kiki, and learn about their unique habitat.
To complement the experience, the museum has developed a series of hands-on activities teaching visitors about the family structure, conservation and biology of southern resident orcas.
Available throughout the experience, activities include an echolocation game and a spinning whale wheel, which demonstrates the complex relationship between humans and orcas and the Salish Sea ecosystem.
Visitors will also be able to contribute to a growing string art installation that reflects humanity’s connection to the ocean.
“Marine animals face unique challenges today and humans are responsible for many, if not most of those challenges,” said John Ososky, collections manager of marine mammals at the NMNH.
“It’s time for us to recognise our connection to these animals and the ocean at large. Doing so is the first step for effective marine conservation and management.”
Directed by Chris Campkin and Adam May, Critical Distance debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, where it was one of five projects nominated for the 2021 Immersive Storyscapes award. It was written by Amy Zimmerman and produced by Vision3 and Vulcan Productions in partnership with Microsoft. It’s narrated by youth climate justice activist Jamie Margolin.
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