JMP provides exhibit installation services for the new and improved Twilight Zone exhibit.
We partnered with the California Academy of Sciences once again on their updated aquarium exhibit, The Twilight Zone. Highlighting ecosystems found in the deep sea, the exhibit teaches visitors about this little known world. From elaborate dive gear to pressurized fish collection, visitors learn about this fascinating underworld and what it takes to explore it. Read on to learn more about our exhibit installation services.
The process began by collaborating with the exhibit design team to address their desired improvements. This included all new infographic light-boxes for the dimly lit space, and a new shadow wall to help mitigate light affecting the bioluminescent flashlight fish. Additionally, they wanted a new deep sea diver display. We talked through their goals and potential solutions, and delegated roles to each part of the team. Our role included facilitating infrastructure improvements. We also became the exhibit fabrication research and development team.
The Academy asked for low profile, easy to read illuminated graphics with even light diffusion that weren’t too bright. So, we took a new approach to the light-box graphics found at every display. Using our laser etching machine, we etched a layer of clear plexiglass with a grid pattern. This helped the edge lighting diffuse evenly across the panel. We placed the etched plexi behind a layer of sign white. Finally, we added a second-surface printed backlit film applied to the top. Inspired by techniques used at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we designed a light box that delivered on the Academy’s request.
The diver display required research as well. With no as-built plans to work from, we had to figure out how the diver was mounted. We opened up the wall to discover steel bracing built into the interior of the wall frame. Using a similar technique, we raised the divers position above the ground. We rebuilt the entire platform and plexiglass enclosure around the diver, whose dive tech changed with the addition of a third tank. We engineered and built the rebreather and underwater sound display as well. Other infrastructure improvements included creating all routed background shapes found throughout the exhibit. This required a design that made changing out graphics easy and efficient. We are so happy to work the the Academy, and grateful to be one of their trusted fabrication shops.
