AN IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
OUT OF THE ORDINARY FOR ALL

Become a true field reporter and go on a mission to the heart of the poles at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco,
to meet their emblematic ecosystems!

VISITOR INFORMATION: The « Immersion » exhibition will be closed from Monday 17th to Wednesday 20th June included in order to improve the quality of the visitors’ areas.

The polar worlds in the heart of the Oceanographic Museum

Projection walls 9m high!
a trip in 6 acts

step N°1

MEETING WITH
A SHEBEAR
AND HER CUBS ON THE PACK ICE

This majestic emblem of the Far North, the polar bear, is an endangered species, and the number of individuals has a tendency to decline. There are two main reasons for this: global warming, which is causing its habitat to disappear, and melting ice, which is making its search for food more precarious.
All the more so as its prey, mainly certain seal species, are vulnerable for the same reasons. These giants, whose lives are closely tied to the pack ice, are gradually moving away from northern regions, sometimes coming dangerously close to villages in search of food.

To illustrate this vulnerability, the polar bears are depicted in a fragile setting. L’effondrement de pans entiers d’icebergs et le craquement constant de la glace sous les pas des visiteurs rappellent la précarité de leur habitat.

STEP 2

UNDER THE ICE PACK, INTERACTING WITH BELUGAS, SEALS AND NARWHALS

Seals are accustomed to taking refuge offshore on pieces of pack ice to escape predators. The accelerating melting of this drifting ice is forcing these large mammals to adapt their way of life and seek ever more distant shelters. Belugas are threatened by pollution and disturbed by the exploitation of underwater mineral resources. These large cetaceans, also known as white whales, are forced to dive longer and deeper to find their food.

By interacting with these two species, the public is encouraged to feel empathy for these mammals. As they become more aware of their environment, they realize that an entire ecosystem is being altered and, as a result, weakened.

STEP 3

ORCAS JUMP OUT OF THE WATER WHILE ELEPHANT SEALS BASK ON THE SHORES

The Antarctic region boasts a rich and unique biodiversity, where orcas and elephant seals have evolved far from human predation for millennia. But today, men no longer hide their claim on these distant lands: orca overfishing has begun.






Immersed in the sublime scenery of the South Pole, between the aquatic ballet of this majestic marine mammal and the shrieks terns and colonies of elephant seals, visitors learn about a world they know nothing about, and at the same time become aware of the urgent need to protect it.

STEP 4

THE MEAL
FROM WHALES

Krill is the food of many underwater species, the basis of an entire food chain. But overfishing is also threatening the abundance of these tiny crustaceans.








Witnessing the gargantuan meals of humpback whales reveals not only their organization and ingenious hunting methods, but also their dependence on this food.

STEP 5

A COLONY OF PENGUINS IN THE BLIZZARD

Antarctica’s famous Emperor penguins have developed a lifestyle that is unique in the world. A formidable organization that enables them to survive in this particularly hostile environment. But they too are threatened by the lack of food resources, by the global warming and melting ice. Adults have to go further and further out to sea to find food, at the risk of not returning in time to feed their young. Thus weakened, penguin populations are tending to decline. decrease.

Enveloped in a blizzard at the center of the penguin colonies, visitors can try to clear the snow to catch a glimpse of the penguins. The public’s perception of the harshness of the climatic conditions will make them aware of their exceptional environment.

STEP 6

THE AURORAS POLAR IN THE STARRY SKY OF THE ANTARCTIC

This scene is a serene invitation to marvel at nature’s enduring source of inspiration. A poetic moment where subtlety mingles with fragility, magnifying the magnetic and atmospheric phenomena that are at the heart of our universe. the origin of this celestial spectacle.






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Technology at the service of knowledge

Contemplate the polar aurora, dive under icebergs to meet seals, belugas and narwhals, attend the meal of the whales, discovering penguins through a blizzard… Or how to push back the limits of reality and offer a unique experience that mobilizes the living. This is what the “IMMERSION” room (stage 4 of the tour) offers, with almost 650m2 of projection space, where thousands of visitors will experience the unique and overwhelming sensation of being at the poles. A journey in which they can interact with the content, the environment and the species.

This experiment, part of the “Mission Polaire” exhibition, was made possible thanks to a virtual replica of the extreme regions, their environment, atmosphere and the species that inhabit them. A complete change of scenery made possible by the use of state-of-the-art technology and a monumental projection system. Computer-generated images offer exceptional scenographic possibilities for cultural and scientific venues, without sacrificing the rigor and exacting standards demanded by a site like the Oceanographic Museum.

One of the aims of this show is to use wonder and emotion to raise visitors’ awareness of the threats facing the poles, their fragility and the risks this poses for the planet as a whole. The aim is to create a link between man and an ecosystem that is generally inaccessible to him, to be spectacular while making sense, to dazzle while raising awareness. The system is also based on a pedagogical approach, enabling the Oceanographic Museum’s animators to take control of the session and guide visitors through an even more knowledgeable experience.

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A tool for teaching

The Oceanographic Museum’s educational department offers dedicated activities during the vacation periods and for school groups. A tailor-made visit for young visitors is made possible by a specially designed “teaching mode”. The presenter can freeze certain scenes in the device to better observe a species or comment on its behavior. A multimedia library is also available to the animator, who can project an educational sheet, a film or an anatomical plate at any time to enhance the experience.

Cutting-edge technologies

This “life simulator is designed around a mix of matte painting, CGI and real-time 3D animation. Matte painting is a cinematographic process involving the painting of a set on a flat surface, into which one or more animated scenes created in post-production are integrated. Real-time computer-generated imagery is produced live in response to visitor actions or situations, as opposed to images produced in post-production. Le dispositif utilisé au sein de la salle «IMMERSION» juxtapose ces deux techniques pour gagner en réalisme et en vitesse d’interaction.
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See also

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The Aquariums of the Museum

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Monaco Explorations

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The Odyssey of Sea Turtles

Previous exhibitions