The 3,000-square-meter exhibition invites visitors to become active participants in a story set in the year 2071, blending advanced technology, architectural storytelling, and sensory design to create a multi-layered experience.
The exhibition is structured as a journey through three distinct chapters, each presenting a vision of the future while highlighting humanity’s potential to shape it. It begins with a high-speed space capsule transporting visitors to OSS Hope, a space station where they join a mission to collect solar energy from the moon. This mission, though fictitious, is portrayed with such realism that it offers a convincing vision of future energy solutions. Visitors gain a firsthand perspective of how space technology could play a role in addressing Earth’s energy needs, while also confronting ongoing challenges, such as the risk of forest fires threatening the Amazon rainforest.
Recruitment stations allow visitors to actively sign up and contribute to the storyline, making them feel like real pioneers in this futuristic mission.
The second chapter, the HEAL Institute, shifts the focus from space exploration to the regeneration of Earth’s ecosystems through bioengineering. Visitors are first introduced to the beauty and complexity of the Amazon rainforest, represented through thousands of dancing point clouds and a majestic Ceiba tree.
In “The Library,” 2,400 laser-engraved crystal jars house the genetic codes of various species, creating a living archive of biodiversity as of 2071. Through a device called the Biosynth, visitors can interact with this archive, collect genetic codes, and use them to explore potential solutions for healing damaged ecosystems. This experience highlights the potential of bioengineering to restore balance to our planet, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging.
The final chapter, ALWAHA, focuses on personal well-being in an increasingly technological world. It offers a serene, spa-like environment where visitors can reconnect with their senses through immersive therapies. Spaces like “Movement Therapy” and “Connection Therapy” combine technology with physical interaction, encouraging visitors to find calm and balance.
The journey ends with a moment of reflection in ”The Centre,” where the interplay of light and water invites contemplation and relaxation, allowing visitors to process the experiences they have encountered and connect with their own vision of the future.
What makes ”Journey of the Pioneers” innovative is its ability to transform a traditional exhibition into an engaging, story-driven environment. It uses spatial storytelling to create a cohesive narrative, guiding visitors through a series of experiences that combine realistic portrayals of future scenarios with emotional and sensory engagement.
The exhibition’s use of cutting-edge technology, from high-speed simulations to interactive genetic archives, provides a hands-on understanding of complex themes like space exploration and bioengineering, while the layered, multi-sensory design ensures that each visitor’s journey feels personal and meaningful.
”Journey of the Pioneers” reimagines what an exhibition can be. Rather than presenting static displays or information, it offers a dynamic environment that invites visitors to participate, reflect, and envision their role in shaping the future. The exhibition creates a seamless blend of education, entertainment, and inspiration, offering a compelling model for how museums can engage with visitors in the digital age.
By turning visitors into active pioneers on a mission, it challenges them to think critically about the future and their place within it, ensuring that the experience resonates long after they leave the museum.
This entry fits the ”Storytelling” category because it pushes the boundaries of how stories are told within a physical space. It transforms the exhibition into a living narrative, where the environment, technology, and visitors all play a role in advancing the story.
The experience is both immersive and introspective, blending the thrill of exploring new worlds with the quiet contemplation of personal growth. By engaging the imagination and encouraging visitors to reflect on their place in the world, ”Journey of the Pioneers” sets a new standard for storytelling in the museum context, offering a journey that is as thought-provoking as it is inspiring.
Partners
- Altspace
- Framestore
- Galerija12
- Marshmallow Laser Feast
- Superflux
- Certain Measures
- Emilie Baltz
- Deep Local
- Jason Bruges Studio
- Polytope Agency
- OIO Studios
- Near Future Lab