| Aquarium of the Pacific Unveils the Design of Its New Architectural Centerpiece, Pacific Visions | “Institutions
like the Aquarium of the Pacific serve a vital role in helping us understand—and
better care for—the world around us,” stated U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal,
who serves California’s 47th district. “In just a short time, the Aquarium
of the Pacific has redefined the modern aquarium. It has become a leading
force in educating the next generation about the importance of the ocean
and scientific research, fostering a community of students, families, friends,
and scientific experts who learn together. I look forward to seeing how
the new Pacific Visions wing will broaden that community and reinforce
our collective responsibility to build a more sustainable future.”
Pacific Visions is designed as a biomorphic structure that evokes the Pacific Ocean. Complementing the Aquarium’s existing building, Pacific Visions has a façade made up of more than 800 non-reflective glass panels covering an area of 18,000 square feet. The Pacific Visions project includes the Honda Pacific Visions Theater, new Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Entrance and front pavilion, changing exhibit gallery, art gallery, and orientation gallery. The two-story, 300-seat Honda Pacific Visions Theater will include a 32-foot-tall, 130-foot long, 180-degree arc digital projection wall and a 30-foot-diameter floor projection disc to immerse visitors in a virtual ocean environment. The theater will bring to life epic ocean stories, allowing audiences to discover new species, witness the processes and phenomena of Earth’s ecosystems, and grapple with the many challenges facing the natural world. Each seat will be wired for interactivity, providing visitors opportunities to explore a range of possible trajectories for our planet and underscoring how human action can lead to a more sustainable future. All stories will be developed by the Aquarium in partnership with leading scientists, filmmakers, and digital artists. Pacific Visions is supported by the City of Long Beach with a $15 million matching grant, a $5 million matching grant from John and Michelle Molina and Mario and Therese Molina, and $5 million from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Private donations and commitments of $1 million or more have been given by James and Marilyn Simons, Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg, and two anonymous donors. The Aquarium has secured $40 million of the $53 million total cost for Pacific Visions. Members of the public can support Pacific Visions at aquariumofpacific.org/news/pacificvisions or contacting Director of Development Ryan Ashton at rashton@lbaop.org or 562-951-1701. Contact:
|