Native Voices

November, 2011
Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108

A Watchout presentation synchronized with four LCD displays and a high definition audio presentation.

The recently opened Natural History Museum of Utah features some of the preeminent artifacts and sources of information about the native tribes of Utah. The top floor of the innovative Rio Tinto Center is completely dedicated to the heritage shared by the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Navajo, and Shoshoni. At the heart of this meaningful experience lies a traditional storytelling circle surrounded by a five screen Watchout presentation.

The hour long Watchout presentation synchronizes with displays embedded into each of the benches located inside the storytelling circle. After each presentation about one of the native tribes, visitors are invited into the storytelling circle to participate in a native story.

As visitors approach the storytelling circle, they are able to make a connection to the native people by not only hearing their stories in English and the native language; but also by following along on large LCD screens providing synchronized captions.

Transcending Digital was hired to engineer a solution to control the audio and displays in synchronization with Watchout. Contrary to the initial plans; we suggested, then implemented off the shelf components to provide a rock solid and maintainable exhibit. Late in the development stages of this project, we were asked if it were possible to display captions in native languages supporting non-Latin characters. Despite the fact that no displays in the world can support Native characters; Transcending Digital prototyped and delivered a solution that will allow the institution to implement any character set in the world without deviating from the initial deadline.

Transcending Digital was also brought on site for this installation to make final tweaks in coordination with the client and assist with other A/V hardware solutions.

Client: Boston Productions Inc