Aquarium of the Pacific

Public aquariums are popular attractions around the world. In May of 2019 the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach California, officially opened its first major expansion in its two-decade history. Pacific Visions is a 29,000 square-foot, two-story, sustainable structure designed by EHDD (a San Francisco-based architecture and design firm).

Aquarium of the Pacific

Galleries & Theater

The new wing houses a state-of-the-art immersive theater, an art gallery, a “culmination” gallery with interactive game tables, and live animal exhibits. Its focus is to educate the public and inspire visitors to change their behavior to achieve a sustainable balance between humanity and the planet. Reefs & Drifters is the inaugural exhibit in the 2,800-square-foot Pacific Visions art gallery, which is where visitors enter the Pacific Visions wing. Convivial Studio, a European art and design practice designed the installations. The exhibition features everything from video projections, spatial soundscapes, a touchable coral sculpture wall, and much more. Moreover Plankton inspired glass sculptures bring an addition live feeling to it. Plus a collection of mirrored exhibits called Infinity Coral create a vivid experience.

*Reefs & Drifters, Pacific Visions; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

Once visitors have made their way through Reefs & Drifters, they are led to a 2,600-square-foot orientation gallery. It offers an 18-foot-wide virtual waterfall with interactive elements that respond to movement. Furthermore it features a 26-foot-wide by 8-foot-tall LED screen on the adjacent wall. A pre-show film provides a visual tour through the history of life on our planet. It highlights how humans connect with nature and how we, as a society, impact our world.

*A Still from the Film Designing our Future at Pacific Visions; Photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

Immersive Theater

Next, the aquarium invites the public to view an eight-minute multi-sensory experience in the 300-seat Honda Pacific Visions Theater. The film, titled Designing Our Future offers stunning high-resolution views projected on a 130-foot-wide by 32-foot-tall screen. It curves in a 180-degree arc and a 36-foot-wide floor projection disc. The Aquarium and Cortina Productions teamed up with leading scientists, filmmakers, storytellers, and digital artists to create an immersive experience. Furthermore it engages the senses by utilizing fog, wind, scent, strobe lights, and seat vibration. As a whole, this presentation envisions a future where humanity lives in balance with nature. Thus the implementation of sustainable technologies will ultimately change our future.

*Interactive Bubble Wall in the Culmination Gallery at Pacific Visions; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

High Tech Apps

Pacific Visions EcoAlliance app for Apple® and Android™ devices invite attendees to apply their newfound knowledge to make a personal action plan for sustainability. Designed by Artifact Technologies, Pacific Visions EcoAlliance features an evolving set of interactive challenges. These inspire players to conserve resources as well as build a community, and explore key sites around Long Beach. Both adults and children can appreciate Pacific Visions. However, your children may end up teaching you how to navigate the touchscreen interactive installations. While you are there, don’t forget to visit all of the original exhibitions. Additionally, be sure to stop in to see the expansive live exhibit area. Here you will find everything from jellyfish to leafy sea dragons to seals, sharks, and a wide array of fish.

*Jellyfish at the Aquarium of the Pacific; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

Read the Pacific Visions Makes Waves at the Aquarium of the Pacific article by Richard Bilow. It features more of a first-hand experience at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach

Find out more about Richard Bilow’s Aquatic Art Aquariums on the website http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/