Details

Immersive VR technology is used to submerge the visitor into the ever increasing depths of the ocean to encounter inhabitants of Earth’s final frontier. Traveling through a brilliant coral reef, visitors interact with colorful sea anemones and jellyfish that respond to touch. They encounter an 80-foot blue whale and dive into the abyss where sunlight is permanently banished and where hidden creatures appear with the use of a virtual flashlight.

I led an interdepartmental team to launch the “Blu”, The Natural History Museum’s first ever virtual reality experience in collaboration with WeVR, a Los Angeles based virtual reality company along with Flux Design. Working with the designers and marine scientists we created an adjacent media lounge to augment the VR experience which included an underwater ocean video experience as well as an interactive display of marine specimens.

Acknowledgements

WeRV Interactive, Flux Design, Curator Christine Thacker, Cynthia Wornham, Davina Wolters, Liam Mooney, Flux Design, NHM exhibits team

Words

“Engaging and inspiring visitors is what we do - and “the Blu: An Underwater VR Experience” is beautiful, powerful storytelling. It would not surprise me if the next generation of marine biologists and VR developers are inspired by this exhibit.”

–Lori Bettison-Varga, NHMLA Director and President