Museum uses latest technology to tell immersive story of water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 4, 2011 -- One of the world’s most sophisticated interactive video systems is at the heart of a new show – AQUA: A Journey into the World of Water – opening 3 December at the National Maritime Museum.

The visually spectacular experience has been created by ONE DROP, an initiative of Guy Laliberté - founder of Cirque du Soleil®, to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and sharing water as a vital resource for all.

AQUA tells the story of fresh water around the world using powerful interactive digital technology and surround screens. Inspired by the creativity of Cirque du Soleil, it draws attention to the fact that nearly one billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and reminds us that, one step at a time, we can all do something to help.

In Sydney, AQUA is presented in association with principal partner Sydney Catchment Authority.
For the Australian National Maritime Museum, AQUA is a new experience using technology to tell an important story.
“For many people, when they think of museum exhibitions they think of objects locked away behind glass showcases.

“AQUA is an opportunity for us to dispell this myth and show how museums today are creating new experiences with the latest technology that still deliver on our fundamental objectives of informing, inspiring and engaging our visitors,” said museum director Mary-Louise Williams.

Throughout the half-hour show, divided into three distinct spaces, visitors are able to actively discover water in all its forms and gain an understanding of its vital role in humanity’s survival. Thanks to 360⁰ screens, music, visual effects and actual water displays, visitors can live the AQUA experience as both actors and spectators.

AQUA technical director Martin Fassier says there was a conscious consideration in the development phase for the exhibit that the story had to take centre stage with the technology being used to bring it to life.

Despite the scale of the technology, AQUA has also been developed to conserve power and water usage with the AQUA displays recycling the water and powering down overnight to a standby mode that uses less energy than a single lightbulb.

As a prelude to AQUA, Sydney Catchment Authority have created the H20 2U Room featuring local content on Sydney’s own water story.

H20 2U will tell the story of Sydney’s dams and provide educational and enjoyable activities for children.

‘Many people know about the iconic Warragamba Dam,’ said Chief Executive of the Sydney Catchment Authority, Michael Bullen, ‘but fewer know about the other smaller dams that make up the water supply network for the 4.5 million people in Greater Sydney.

‘Visitors at H20 2U can learn which dams in Sydney were designed with Tutankhamen’s tomb in mind, and which of our dams is one of the thinnest in the world. They can find out how many Sydney Harbours Warragamba Dam can store and learn about the dams that had torpedo nets in place during World War II – and why,’ he said.

AQUA: A Journey into the World of Water opens to the public on 3 December 2011, and will remain on show until 26 February 2012. Entry is included in the museum’s Big Ticket - $25 adults, $10 child/concession or $60 families.

A seminar AQUA – a precious resource will be held on Wed 14 December (6.15-8.30 pm) in conjunction with AQUA. It will feature special guest Tim Costello of World Vision and Sarah Dinning from Sydney Catchment Authority. Tickets $55 per person, bookings essential.

The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm (6 pm in January). All inquiries, (02) 9298 3777, visit www.anmm.gov.au/aqua or follow the museum at www.facebook.com/anmmuseum and http://twitter.com/anmmuseum.

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