To evoke the Mediterranean, means summoning up the extraordinary history of the many great civilizations shaped on its shores over the centuries. But it also means facing up to its future, which is more uncertain than ever. The various pressures associated with its use, population growth, pollution and global warming are all threats to its future, global warming are all threats to its unique biodiversity biodiversity and ecosystem services.
This brand new immersive and interactive exhibition“Méditerranée 2050” aims to encourage visitors to the Monaco ‘s Oceanographic Museum to take a new interest in the Mediterranean and become involved in its protection, through a space-time journey to 2050.
Discover the different areas
As soon as you cross the threshold of the “Temple of the Sea”, you can embark on a space-time exploration of the Mediterranean, symbolized by luminous porticos that allow you to pass fromone universe and era to another.
Discover the Principality of Monaco ‘ s centuries-old commitment to the Ocean before being propelled into 2050 and visualize the benefits of implementing the “30×30” objective.
Because there’s still time to act, you will be invited to get involved through your individual action and by formulating expectations vis-public authorities and the private sector.
Exceptional guides will accompany you along the way: large marine mammals and more specifically cetaceans, animals emblematic of the richness, beauty and grandeur of the ocean.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco offers 4 large themed themed areas to discover throughout your visit.
SPACE N°1 – OCEANOMANIA
The journey begins on the 1st floor, in the Oceanomania lounge, home to the world ‘ s largest cabinet of marine curiosities, where an impressive 4-metre-high sperm whale sculpture welcomes you.
A motion detection system activates a projection of information, in the form of short texts and key figures, which appear directly on the sculpture. This innovative device offers a captivating first glimpse into the history of the Mediterranean, from its origins to contemporary challenges, right up to the solutions being considered for its preservation.
For this first stage of the space-time journey, the Mediterranean is revealed from every angle through a variety of themes.
You will then be guided to the adjacent spaces, where you can continue your journey through time. The aim of this immersive journey is to convey a vision of the various milestones in the history of the Mediterranean, taking you from the past to the present, right up to a deliberately idealized future.
SPACE N°2 – OCEANO MONACO
Trace the past, present and future actions of the Princes of Monaco to discover and protection of the marine world , and their commitment to the Mediterranean.
The journey begins at the end of the 19th century with Prince Albert I, who understood long before anyone else that the ocean was not an inexhaustible reserve, and continues on Prince Rainier III ‘s Deo Juvante II, whose political action in favor of the Mediterranean continues.
At the beginning of the 21st century, a new chapter is being written. Discover the contemporary challenges of preserving the Mediterranean through the commitment of HSH Prince Albert II. The new layout of the upper level of the “OCEANO MONACO” room will offer you a renewed vision of the threats facing the Mediterranean and the concrete solutions being developed to address them. The Oceanographic Institute will be highlighting the many partners of the Principality of Monaco who are working to protect the Mediterranean at local, regional and international level around the Princely Government, including : the management of the Aire Marine Éducative run by the Association Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the monitoring of remarkable Mediterranean species with the Ramoge Agreement, a coral conservation and restoration program developed by the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, or Monaco’s Explorations including the “Missions Méditerranée” starting in Greece.
A BRAND-NEW SERIOUS GAME!
At the heart of this space, a serious game will put visitors in the shoes of Marine Protected Area managers whose actions will help the overall health of the ecosystem and enable biodiversity to develop biodiversity to develop harmoniously.
TRAVEL WITH THE PRINCES OF MONACO, COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE OCEAN
SPACE N°3 – OCEANO ODYSSEY
EMBARK ON “MISSION PELAGOS” TO MEET THE CETACEANS
Come aboard the Oceano Odyssey, a futuristic submersible bound for the Mediterranean seabed, in the heart of the Pelagos sanctuary. Welcome to the year 2050.
Thanks to an immersive, visionary scenography, visitors are plunged into the heart of several Mediterranean ecosystems thanks to an ultra-realistic virtual replica of the environments – made possible by a monumental projection system. The experience, both visual and sensory, allows visitors to observe up close the species present in a well-managed Marine Protected Area in 2050.
Here we are in 2050, the promise to have at least 30% of maritime areas protected has been fulfilled, and the result is there before our eyes: a preserved and regenerated Mediterranean.
Prior to immersion, visitors enter the ship’ s control room, where they learn about the itinerary and milestones of the Mission Pelagos with Captain Anita… Ready to embark?
The dive begins at the foot of the Oceanographic Museum in 2050, in the company of dolphins that we follow beneath the surface through the Museum ‘s windows, transformed into portholes. The submersible continues its journey through the posidonia fields, a veritable oasis of life.
Beware, a whale is reported. By the time we see that the anti-collision system is working perfectly, the collision has been averted. A Risso’s dolphin guides us towards a flourishing coralligenous reef, while the fish offer a choreography of which they have the secret.
We enter an underwater canyon, guided by a Cuvier ‘s beaked whale and pilot whales. Tuna and swordfish, interested in the feast ahead, chase after a huge school of sardines. As the ship continues on its way, it passes a wreck that is home to a multitude of fish, but we finally understand why the sonar is beeping again: a huge school of sperm whales suddenly appears, an unprecedented sighting, a sure sign of the area ‘s good health.
SPACE N°4 – MY OCEANO MED
MY OCEANO MED, WHEN VISITORS BECOME AGENTS OF CHANGE
Once you’ve dreamed of diving into the heart ofa Marine Protected Area, how can you not get involved? That’s what’s at stake in the last stage of the visit, called My OCEANO Med. Discover an interactive and intuitive space that encourages young and old alike to take action for the Ocean, but also to influence public authorities and private players through collective action.
READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?
Three large interactive panels illustrating seascapes welcome you
Each panel offers a similar experience but in different ecosystems. Come face to face with posidonia meadows, coralligenous habitats, or a marine mammal that lives in these impoverished environments, real deserts of biodiversity, direct consequences of human activities.
On the floor, 4 luminous themes appear…
…and encourage you to choose from 4 environments: at the beach, at sea, at the table or in an everyday action. By choosing among these environments, a choice of citizen challenges, where your choices and actions will have results right before your eyes. Get involved for the Mediterranean Sea!
A fourth panel representing an interactive marine environment in perfect health closes the tour.
An interactive fresco featuring a QR code integrated into the decor , which will which will swell the counter of individuals committed to the creation of Marine Protected Areas, whilea second counter will show the total number of challenges completed by participants.
COMMITMENT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Visit My OCEANO Med and extend your experience beyond the walls of the Oceanographic Museum!
This new interactive platform invites users to take on a series of challenges: those of the My OCEANO Med room, enriched with many new objectives exclusive to the application.
Each challenge aims to raise public awareness of simple, high-impact actions , while explaining their importance. By completing the various challenges , you can, earn badges to improve the health of your own AMP. The platform also serves as a guide to the exhibition, including lots of useful information about the Museum and its Mediterranean 2050 exhibition. Each validated commitment gives you the opportunity to take part in a monthly prize draw, with many prizes to be won.
The Oceanographic Institute thanks
and its major individual donors
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