Moa were large, flightless birds that lived in New Zealand until
about 500 years ago. They belong to a flightless bird group, which also
includes emus and kiwis. They are as tall as 3.5m and weighed roughly around 200kg.
Moa were hunted to extinction by Māori, who found them easy targets. Their
flesh was eaten, their feathers and skins were made into clothing. The bones
were used for fish hooks and pendants.
What makes the Moa
interesting is that it's already extinct. So I wanted to recreate an experience
allowing the visitors to rediscover the Moa and the environment that it lived
in. I wanted to create an immersive space that lets the visitors feel like they
are in the environment when they first step into the exhibition. There will be
a forest of interactive screens allowing visitors to interact with the space,
transforming the space into a forest of discovery using parabolic speakers,
interactive floors and light that will be triggered by motion sensors.
So when the visitor first
enter the space, they will hear the Moa's call. There will be parabolic
speakers that will mimic the Moa’s sound to really bring the exhibition to
life. Since the Moa has a very distinct and interesting call, I think using
sound will really generate interest.
(Next Slide - Spotlight)
The visitors are then
invited to move around the space. Once the visitor is detected by the motion
sensors, the screen will illuminate (similar to a spotlight) to reveal the Moa
and environment where the person is standing. This is similar to a hide and
seek game that really gets the visitors to interact and take notice of the Moa.
When you stand still for about 10 seconds, the screen will slowly uncover to
reveal the full environment and the two Moas.
So this is when the users
walk around the space. The motion detectors will detect the visitor and
forms a spotlight on the screen which will follow the person around the space,
as it reveals the environment and the Moa.
(Next Slide - Uncover)
This one shows when the
visitor has stood still for around 10 seconds and the darkness will uncover the
entire screen to show both of the moa displays and the environment.
(Next Slide - Tree)
There will also be a
digital tree panel that becomes an interactive touchscreen to bring out further
information about the Moa. The whole tree will act as an interactive screen so
that people from different heights could reach and get information, making it
more inclusive to kids and people on wheelchairs. There will also be an option
to adjust text sizes and change languages so that elderlies tourists from
different countries can understand. The tree will hang from the ceiling and
descend into the space as a source of light, creating a immersive glow since
the space is quite dark itself. There will also be seats located near the
outside for elderlies and other people who just wants to sit and
listen, and really take in the experience.
(Next Slide - Technology)
The main technologies
featured in this exhibit are motion sensors, transparent oled screen and
parabolic speakers. These technologies will work together to bring an immersive
interactive experience for everyone to enjoy and take in the narrative. Motion sensors
will allow the visitors to interact with the exhibit while the transparent oled
screen and parabolic speakers will make the space come to life so that visitors
can feel like they are in the actual environment with the moa.
