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"Visions of Nature" at London’s Natural History Museum: A Glimpse into 2125 Through Mixed Reality






Highlights of the Groundbreaking Experience

London’s Natural History Museum (NHM) recently concluded its groundbreaking mixed reality exhibition, Visions of Nature, offering visitors a mesmerizing journey to the year 2125. The experience, a collaboration between the NHM, Microsoft, and SAOLA Studio, combined cutting-edge technology, scientific research, and creative storytelling to imagine how Earth’s ecosystems might evolve in response to climate change and human intervention.



Key Moments from the Exhibition


  1. Interactive Holograms and AI Narration:

    • Visitors donned Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 headsets to interact with lifelike holograms of species like Darwin’s frog and hybrid “narlugas” (narwhal-beluga crossbreeds).

    • An AI guide named Hope narrated each scene, blending scientific facts with speculative future scenarios.

  2. Ecosystems of Tomorrow:

    • Chilean Urban Parks: Once-endangered Darwin’s frogs leaped onto visitors’ hands, symbolizing successful captive breeding programs.

    • Arctic Waters: Melting ice led to thriving “narlugas,” tracked by AI to safeguard their survival.

    • Africa’s Great Green Wall: A reforested Sahel region showcased human-led restoration combating desertification.

  3. Science Meets Speculation:

    • The NHM’s scientists ensured scenarios were rooted in current research, such as ice-loss projections and urban biodiversity strategies.

    • Darker themes, like plastic-choked oceans, contrasted with hopeful visions of AI-assisted conservation and rewilded cities.



Visitor Reactions and Impact


  • Emotional Engagement: Many visitors reported feeling a visceral connection to the holographic species, particularly the playful narlugas and resilient urban frogs.

  • Empowerment Through Storytelling: The exhibit’s balance of crisis and recovery left attendees reflecting on their role in shaping the planet’s future.







Collaborative Innovation


  • Microsoft’s HoloLens 2: Mixed reality allowed virtual species to coexist with the NHM’s physical specimens, such as the iconic coconut crab.

  • SAOLA Studio’s Vision: Creators Jeremy Frey and Rémi Dupouy emphasized blending scientific accuracy with artistic wonder.

  • NHM’s Advocacy: The exhibit anchored the museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet initiative, urging collective action against the planetary emergency.



Quotes from Creators


  • Dr. Alex Burch (NHM): “Visions of Nature wasn’t about predicting the future—it was about inspiring agency. Visitors left understanding that their choices matter.”

  • Jeremy Frey (SAOLA Studio): “We wanted people to feel like cohabitants, not observers. The narlugas and frogs became ambassadors for empathy.”

  • Melanie Nakagawa (Microsoft): “Technology can turn abstract climate data into stories that move people to act.”



Legacy of the Experience


While the exhibit has closed, its message endures: The future remains unwritten. By merging art, science, and technology, Visions of Nature challenged audiences to reimagine humanity’s relationship with Earth—not as dominators, but as stewards.


Learn More:

Explore the NHM’s ongoing initiatives at nhm.ac.uk/our-broken-planet.

In the words of AI guide Hope: “The best futures are built together.” 🌿🔮



Note: Visions of Nature ran from October 24, 2024, at the Natural History Museum, London.


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