Christie Brings Immersive Ocean Experience to Life at OdySea Aquarium Lobby
Standing as one of the 10 largest aquariums in the United States, Arizona’s OdySea Aquarium offers a rich tapestry of marine life with more than 6,000 animals, 300 species, and 70 distinct exhibits. Now, visitors are greeted with an entirely new way to start their underwater adventure, thanks to a state-of-the-art lobby installation powered by Christie’s advanced projection and display technologies.
As guests step into the OdySea lobby, they are immediately transported beneath the waves through an innovative 360-degree immersive projection mapping experience. This captivating visual journey unfolds on the 23-foot tall, oval-shaped walls, animating the space with vibrant marine life and the soothing sounds of the ocean. Malvern Entertainment crafted six original animated sequences that perfectly capture the magic of the deep sea, creating a visually stunning environment that invites visitors to feel as if they are swimming alongside sea creatures.
Behind this mesmerizing display is a powerful combination of technology. OdySea selected twelve Christie HS Series laser projectors paired with Pandoras Box Software and Servers to deliver vivid, seamless images. Complementing these is Christie’s Mystique software—a cutting-edge, camera-based alignment and recalibration solution that ensures precise projector positioning and content masking. Mystique works alongside the Pandoras Box 3D workspace to avoid projecting visuals onto areas like escalators, doors, and even the aquarium’s nine massive Aqua Globes—giant suspended tanks housing live fish, which add a dynamic and authentic element to the space.
But the ocean-themed experience doesn’t stop in the lobby. The aquarium café features a 16-by-9-foot Christie LED video wall with a 2.5mm pixel pitch and full HD resolution, showcasing stunning aquatic visuals that continue the immersive theme in a more relaxed setting.
Bringing this ambitious project to life required careful coordination and technical expertise. CCS Presentation Systems led the integration efforts, successfully managing the complexities of projection mapping around the Aqua Globes while collaborating with The Power Group to handle necessary electrical upgrades. Paul Gallagher, Account Executive at CCS, highlighted the project’s challenges and successes, noting that the team’s creativity and precision were key to delivering a flawless and engaging experience that seamlessly combines cutting-edge visuals and immersive audio.
The impact of this installation stretches beyond technology. Amram Knishinsky, CEO of OdySea Aquarium, expressed the vision of making the lobby more than just an entryway—it’s a portal to the ocean itself, enveloping visitors in the underwater world from the moment they arrive. The transformative environment ensures a unique and memorable start to every guest’s visit.
Eric Rosenberg, channel manager at Christie, reflected on the collaboration and innovation driving the project’s success. The use of Christie’s advanced technology has not only brought breathtaking visuals to life but also elevated OdySea Aquarium’s status as a premier destination in Scottsdale, offering visitors an extraordinary experience that blends education, entertainment, and cutting-edge design.