ABSTRACT
Technological development in virtual reality (VR) is fast. After the first VR hype has passed, the technology is now developing to the second or third generation. Devices become cheaper and more mobile. The technology will be affordable for cultural institutions; mobile viewing devices will be available for larger groups of visitors. Looking at VR as an empathy machine, cultural institutions – such as zoos, theaters, concert halls, or museums – may implement immersive experiences and take advantage of the enormous potential to direct the focus and amplify messages. Visitors can explore more than 400 hectares of virtual rainforest, consisting of over 7,500 authentic plants, exotic animals, and a varied landscape with waterfalls, rocks, jungle giants, and rivers from the perspective of animals on the ground, in the air, and in the water, during the day and at night. Design thinking and iterative work allowed people, through testing and prototyping, to find the best possible form to artistically transfer scientific knowledge.
