PROJECT PROPOSAL
Otomi's immersive experience will increase the level of integration with visitors through a multisensorial journey that blends culture, technology, and artistic elements. To raise awareness of the culture. Through this experience, I envisioned that the result would enhance the economic experience that would benefit the community and help preserve their traditions. Beyond a fun moment, visitors will have the possibility to create memorable experiences.
The Immersive experience brings out the personality, fun, charm, and mystery of Otomi culture while educating about its role and impact on world history. It teaches that no matter where you are from or what your beliefs are, the Otomi immersion experience invites visitors to experience the culture like never before. Furthermore, the Otomi experience believes that immersion, entertainment, and interactive multimedia have the power to build social solidarity, bring people close together, and raise empathy and respect.
This immersive experience is intended as an eighty-minute show, which allows the entrance to a certain number of visitors for greater control. It consists of 8 independent spaces. It is a free movement experience for visitors. Cell phone use will be indispensable since the application will provide more detailed information about each area and notices to visitors what can be experienced in other spaces.
What can the Immersive Experience do to preserve the Otomi culture?
1)To be recognized all over the world.
2) Creating appreciation and admiration for its trajectory, work, and ideologies.
3) Reduce cultural appropriation.
4) Create another purpose so they can continue practicing their traditions, ceremonies, and rituals.
5) Support the community by creating another source of income.
6) Increase the levels of tourism in the Otomis towns.
How will people connect with the culture?
The immersive experience intends to connect visitors with the soul of the culture through its cultural richness, represented in its beliefs, ceremonies, patterns, history, music, and people. Visitors will be immersed in the Otomi culture through the technology that functions as a bridge between it and the rest world. The level of interaction allows everyone to enjoy this exhibit like never before, as it is designed to be multisensorial for a higher level of immersion.
People will explore the Otomi world through innovative storytelling, creating uniquely compelling zones that turn passing moments into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Otomi experience transports visitors into multi-sensory world that sparks curiosity and makes them excited to learn and discover.
How does the Otomi Immersive Experience make people want to go?
The Otomi immersive experience seeks to engage visitors on both an emotional and intellectual level, bringing to life the representative contents of the culture in diverse ways. The different installations will guide visitors through moments of play, empathy, imagination, participation, and reflection. The experience transport visitors to cohesive, integrated, and multi-sensory spaces that awaken curiosity and excite them to learn and discover. From the minute visitors enter the experience, they are transported to the Otomi world, with sets that guests can walk around and encounter Otomi people. In addition, cuttingedge technology, holograms, video mapping, music, smells, and temperature changes further enhance the atmosphere. Creating remarkable experiences for the visitors!
Project Program
Otomi Immersive Experience
A unique multi-sensorial engagement with Otomi storytelling tradition. The Otomi immersive experience is one hour and half with a set up walk-through style with limited entry. The walk-through is controlled through the app, which motivates visitors to move to the next zone in a unique and entertaining way. Each area is separated from the next, so it is not possible to see from one space to another. These spaces are connected by elaborate dark passages with little illumination for visitors to move from one place to another. Hence, visitors will always remain curious to know what's next.
Story of the Otomi Immersive Experience
The Otomi Immersive Experience is a place that accelerates the pulse with its ancestral magic, transforming everything that exists. It is a place that has existed for many years and has been unknown by the rest of the world but is determined to return and illuminate every corner with its ancestral cosmovision.
A place where the art of the heart makes the earth tremble and mystical creatures stalk the mountains. It is a space where the fascination of its history vibrates through time and where the spirit of men becomes art, and art becomes them. A bright and colorful portal transports visitors to the entrance of a sacred forest that has nurtured and given a home to the Otomi people for thousands of years. Here, animals' spirits transform into mystical creatures welcoming visitors. They are aware that as more visitors arrive, it is more likely that the Otomi culture will once again flourish. The handicrafts wrap life between their weavings, and their dances connect with the sacred gods. As their curiosity draws them closer, visitors will be caught up in exciting moments in which interaction is predominant as they seek to discover the
magic. Those looking for adventure, history, and mysticism will find it all and more in this Otomi experience.
Guest Role
Guests are curious adventurers who have discovered a place where the magic of the Otomi culture has roamed for generations. Through a multi-sensorial journey, they will discover, learn, and be part of their history, traditions, beliefs, and ceremonies.
Welcome Area
An ample open space. Visitors will find the ticket booths and line up to enter the Otomi immersion experience. Likewise, here is where visitors prepare to embark on a journey to discover the Otomi culture. Staff will give them instructions, and they will be guided to download the app that will allow them to access more information and live the experience at a deeper level. The app will enable visitors to consult the map and learn more details about each space and element along the journey. It also provides information, which they will have access to even after they have completed their experience. If a visitor does not have a smartphone, they will be provided with one to use it through the experience. Furthermore, all the information will be sent to their emails, or if they prefer, they can receive a flyer.
The Otomi Portal - Danu
Danu : path
Senses: sight & sound.
General description: Visitors approach the Otomi immersive experience through a great portal, an arc with otomis embroideries in the façade lighted by fluorescent white light. Once inside, a tunnel showcases different otomis patterns by projection mapping, welcoming visitors. The designs are according to the Otomi flora and fauna cosmovision accompanied by lighting.
Detailed description: In their path, guests will see how these patterns move and change according to their walking. These appear next to the people through motion sensors with an alternation of different color lights. There are three different types of sound: a) a narrative voice that welcomes the people, b) Otomi background music c) Electric sounds that will appear with some patterns, turning on the visitor's senses. In addition, some bird’s patterns will have special effects. They will appear and move their wings, blowing a breeze to the visitors through some air machines, adding sensations in the skin. The floor will have caution lights to guide visitors. But the purpose is to focus the lighting on the projection mapping of the walls.
Visitors’ role: Is to cross the portal while they appreciate the patterns of flora and fauna and vibrate with the music. reflect the Otomi cosmovision and spark curiosity about what is on the other side.
Learning objective: Recognize the Otomi patterns, their colors and design in order to distinguish them in future occasions.
The Mystical Otomi Forest – Xante (Referring to the Otomi-Mixteca Forest in Mexico State)
Xante: Forest
Senses: sight, smell, & sound.
General description: This multimedia experience immerses visitors in an interactive forest. Large square room, with four screens that use projection mapping depicting the forest at night and the animals inhabiting it, which are shapeshifters following the Otomi cosmovision. The interactive floor is activated with sensors that show different shapes of lights according to the walk of the visitors. The area has a temperature change, creating a chillier atmosphere. The background sounds of nature captivate the attention of visitors. Furthermore, the room has a pleasant smell of damp moss, rain, wet tree trunks, and flowers. This space aims to create a more profound and funnier level of interaction while sparks visitors' curiosity.
Detailed description: Visitor's enter a mystical Otomi Forest, intrigued by the darkness of the night and the lights of nature. Background sounds of nature and smells uniquely complement the immersion. Four wall screens showcase the forest at night: different trees and animals appears in different periods who wander through the forest, lightened by a white-yellow light. The floor has motion sensors that make lightning circles around each person and follow their paths. The screens have sensors behind them that detect people's movement, so when people come near an animal, it will make noises and instantly connect with the app to show more information about it. Plus, the app offers some guides to uncover the ancestral Otomi world’s view. In this experience, the mythological animals hide memories that are revealed as stories of the past of the Otomis. With the mobile app, the visitor will have access to the stories of each animal they discover.
Visitors' role: Explore the mystical Otomi Forest to discover and interact with the animals that inhabit it. With the help of the app, visitors will be tasked with finding as many of the animals as possible, but some of them like to hide. Will visitors be able to find them all and decipher their identity in order to get to know their mystical side?
Visitors will use the app, which will show an album with different shadows representing the forest animals. Once they find an animal, it will instantly appear on their app in color. Immediately, the app teaches visitors the name in Spanish or English and then explains how to say it in Otomi, encouraging visitors to say it out loud. Once this is accomplished it will celebrate on the screen and change its shape to its mystical form. In addition, the application will allow visitors to learn more about them as they will have access to their mystical stories.
Learning Objective: Learn and recognize the region's fauna and their important roles and meanings according to the Otomi worldview. Identify their patterns that come with their beliefs. In addition, learn their names in nanu (Otomi language).
Temoaya (History)
Senses: sight & sound.
General description: In this space the Otomis History comes back to life! large open space room, with several screens of different sizes located to create different paths. In the room, visitors can appreciate miniature replicas representing structures of the ceremonial center Temoaya. Through narration accompanied by animated illustrations, this experience reveals the origin and development of the Otomi culture through projection mapping. Sound, lights, music, and storytelling narrative provide an insight into the history of the culture.
Detailed description: A multidimensional historical narrative invites visitors to explore a series of symbolic elements of Temoaya throughout the installation. Each screen shows a different part of its history. In this area, there are two types of sounds: a) narrative voice, which is played through each speaker corresponding to each screen; these usually work in synchrony so that there is no sound saturation b) background sound, a piece of instrumental background music created by Otomis. In this experience, each architectural element represents the ceremonial center Temoaya hides ancestral meanings that are revealed through the app. Therefore, visitors will have to make use of the application in site to discover their origins and secrets.
Visitor’s role: Walk through the space and discover the fascinating history of the Otomi people. Discover the secrets hidden in the replica elements and find their importance through the app.
Learning objective: Learn and be conscious about the Otomis history and their important role in the past. Understand their roots and sacrifices that they have lived.
Amantoli - (Crafts Area)
Amantoli: crafts
Senses: sight, touch & sound
General description: Colors, art, and creativity are the soul of Amantoli space. It is an open space fulfilled of art and interactive installations showcasing the two most famous crafts representative of the
Otomi Culture. In this area, all the creativity and handicrafts of the Otomis come to life, plus it is divided into two main sections, the tenangos and dolls.
Detailed description: Tenangos side: The panels create a colorful path that creates a labyrinth feeling while exhibits authentic tenangos with alternation of screens that displays different content. Three types of content will be presented on the screens:
1) Mapping projection installation that tells the story of the ancestral history of the Tenangos.
2) Visualization of the tenangos patterns. The screens will showcase a giant frame with strings.
3) Showcase videos of the otomis elaboration process of the tenangos. With a narrative voice that explains what's happening in the video, translated into Spanish or English (depending on the location of the place).
The media content and the tenangos exhibit invites the viewer to live an experience of introspection through the process of the creation of the Tenangos, showcasing Otomi's effort, creativity, and originality. Moreover, there’s a section with a huge embroidery wood frame, for visitors to express their creativity and practice what they learned through the tenangos exhibition.
Visitor’s role: Visitors will have the opportunity to see, touch, and appreciate their work in the closest way. At the same time recognize their embroidery’s patterns that are unique. Collaborate to elaborate designs and express their creativity in an Otomi way!
The doll's area: General Description: Have a blast with Lele and Pancho! Projection mapping, lighting, visualizations, and responsive soundscapes transform the space, making the concept a versatile and easily adaptable
entertainment solution. This experience aims to bring people together to the culture through play and human connection.
Detailed description: Next to the tenangos, Lele and Pancho (Otomi's famous dolls) take life in interactive games, incorporating movement sensors where people can dance and chat with them. One screen visualizes Lele and the other screen shows Pancho. With motion sensors and voice recognition they are activated and ready to interact with the visitors.
Visitor’s role: If visitors decide to chat with them, they will talk about their purpose, what they represent, and how they are worldwide cultural heritage! Kids will love this space! Plus, people can use their bodies to interact and engage.
Overall Experience Learning Objective: Recognize the Otomi crafts and recognize them as worldwide cultural heritage. Create awareness of the hard work it represents for them and raise the respect they deserve. (Primarily goal to reduce devaluation of culture and cultural appropriation).
Mui- People's Installation
Mui: Soul Senses: Sight, sound and touch
General description: It is an installation that shows the soul of the culture, which is its people, through visual pictures projected on screens that are part of interactive panels—customized on a human scale to create closeness and achieve a greater connection with visitors to convey a more profound message.
Detailed description: Face its reality! Square structures that form a space, in which visitors are free to stroll. The side of joy is exposed, but also the dark situations they live in, such as racism, discrimination, cultural appropriation, and extreme poverty, are showcased. People will be able to experience it in two different ways. The structure, from the outside, will only expose the good side, but visitors will discover
the dark side of their lives if they decide to get into the panels. Three different sounds are played through this experience a) Background Music b) Narrative voice of each dark projection alternated with the projection’s original sounds. Each part has different speakers that allow people to choose their path.
Learning Objective: Raise awareness of their current situations that stop them from flourishing the culture. Become aware of our actions to understand how they can be connected to their situations.
Mazahua Ceremonial Dance
Senses: Sight, sound, and smell.
General Description: This space is the last stop of the Immersive Experience, which comprises a dance celebration called Mazahua in an open space with an interactive floor, which invites visitors to be part of the celebration. It begins with a mystical narrative voice that captures people's attention and explains what will happen next and the meaning of the celebration, accompanied by effects on the floor and digital visualization on the screens. Then, from the dark, Otomi dancers come out wearing the traditional costumes that correspond to the ceremony and the place is filled with their botanical traditional incense. The floor is interactive, showing visitors the next steps to follow the traditional dance movements, and the surrounding screens showcase the actual dance in their ceremonial center.
Visitor’s Role: Mazahua is an immersive ceremonial dance experience that combines motion detection, projection technology, and Otomi dancers, where participants join the celebration and interact with Otomis. Inspired by the purpose of bringing people together and the culture through dance and human connection.
Learning Objective: Understand the meaning of one of their most popular celebrations. Create empathy and a connection to the culture in a deeper level through dance.
