Exhibit Installation Begins at Valles Caldera

Tucked into the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of the most geologically and ecologically significant landscapes in the southwest. Spanning 88,900 acres, the preserve sits inside a dormant (but not extinct) supervolcano that erupted 1.2 million years ago, creating a monumental volcanic basin surrounded by grassy meadows, winding streams, natural hot springs, and diverse wildlife. Today, it is managed by the National Park Service, and visitors can experience hiking and biking trails, wildlife observation, fishing, stargazing, and soon, an immersive and interactive exhibit exploring the origin and history of this unique national preserve.

Ideum’s exhibit design team has partnered with the team at Valles Caldera to create a brand-new interactive exhibit that brings the volcanic and cultural history of the region to life. As reported in the Albuquerque Journal (“An explosive experience: Corrales-based Ideum reimagines Valles Caldera eruption”), the project blends scientific storytelling and cutting-edge technology to help visitors understand how this remarkable landscape was formed, and why it continues to matter.

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A Multi-Sensory Immersive Experience

At the heart of the project is an immersive digital experience designed to engage visitors of all ages. A 12-foot diameter topographic relief maps the forms and features of the caldera, and animated projections bring the landscape to life, offering a dynamic look at the region’s geology, ecology, wildlife populations, and migratory patterns, cultural history, and more. By being able to visualize the caldera in its entirety, visitors experience a unique perspective, observing how all of the different elements interact with one another to create the thriving ecosystem that exists today.

Surrounding the relief are four of Ideum’s 34” ultrawide Presenter touch displays, serving as control panels. Each one allows visitors to trigger and explore cinematic animations that project onto the map. Tapping on a selection initiates a new scene, with animations for a range of events and highlights such as volcanic activity, seasonal migration patterns, Native American Tribal heritage, and even pop culture history with spotlights of films and series’ that were filmed at the caldera.

Other aspects of the exhibit include lighting and surround sound audio, which are synchronized with the relief map to create a deeply immersive atmosphere that captivates visitors and encourages them to explore and learn more about what makes Valles Caldera such a unique natural wonder. Ideum is also installing two additional Presenter displays, including a 65” and 86”, to serve as digital docents to assist with wayfinding and park activities in other buildings around the preserve.

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Exhibit Installation and the Grand Opening

The Ideum team has begun installation by starting with the A/V systems, and will be in full swing at the end of June, with all of the pieces coming together inside the Valles Caldera Ranger Station, soon to be renamed the Volcano Discovery Center. The grand opening will take place in late July in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the caldera becoming public land.

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To read more about the background of this project, check out Megan Gleason’s article in the Albuquerque Journal.

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