Avatar: Discover Pandora Exhibition opening in Taipei in Dec (Non Disney Press Release)
Editors Note: While not a Disney project or in the United States I thought some of you may be interested in this if travel abroad. Or seeing how Avatar is being developed outside Disney Parks.
AVATAR: DISCOVER PANDORA EXHIBITION, INSPIRED BY JAMES CAMERON’S FILM FRANCHISE, LAUNCHES ITS WORLDWIDE TOUR DECEMBER 7 IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN
Spectacular New Interactive Attraction Will Showcase the Science and Technology of the Amazing Environments and Creatures of Pandora
Tickets on Sale at www.avatardiscoverpandora.com
Glendale, Calif. [September 19, 2016] — AVATAR: Discover Pandora, a spectacular new, state-of-the-art interactive exhibition, will make its global premiere in Taipei, Taiwan, on December 7, GES, along with Lightstorm Entertainment, and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (Fox) announced today.
AVATAR: Discover Pandora is inspired by and filled with the extraordinary creatures, breathtaking environments and inspirational cultures of the James Cameron film. GES, a global events provider, is partnering with Beast Kingdom Co., Ltd., to bring AVATAR: Discover Pandora to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place A11 6F Xinyi Theater in Taipei City, Taiwan for a three-month showcase.
In this new 12,000-square-foot entertainment and educational experience, visitors of all ages will be able to explore the scientific and wondrous discoveries found on the world of Pandora. Presenting Pandora as a real place, AVATAR: Discover Pandora will give visitors the opportunity to interact with the exhibition through a series of exciting and engaging immersive environments that highlight Pandora’s diverse flora and fauna, exotic wildlife, and the amazing culture and mythology of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.
GES, in collaboration with Lightstorm and Fox, will tour AVATAR: Discover Pandora to additional global markets after its premiere stop in Taipei, Taiwan. Additional details about this exciting exhibition will be released in the coming months. For more information, please visit www.avatardiscoverpandora.com.
GES’s creative team has been working closely with Lightstorm and Fox to create an exhibition as authentic and groundbreaking as James Cameron’s remarkable 2009 film AVATAR. The scope for AVATAR: Discover Pandora captures the phenomenal beauty of the alien world, and brings it back to Earth for an intriguing look at the many ways Pandora reflects our own planet.
“GES is absolutely thrilled to give Taiwanese fans of AVATAR the world’s first opportunity to explore Pandora in a real-life setting through our newest touring exhibition,” said Steve Moster, President and Chief Operating Officer, Viad Corp. “Visitors will truly be amazed by the wonders of Pandora, and we are proud to premiere this state-of-the-art exhibit in the Asia-Pacific market.”
Kathy Franklin, President, Franchise Development, Lightstorm Entertainment, added, “Our fans around the world often tell us that they wish they could travel to Pandora, and this touring exhibition gives us a unique opportunity to bring the wonders of Pandora to them. This exhibition has something for everyone, from fans of the film who want to experience Pandora in a brand-new way as they await our four theatrical film sequels, to families looking for an exciting activity, or to school groups wanting to explore science through an inspiring lens.”
Featuring captivating settings such as the Hallelujah Mountains and Tree of Souls, as well as life-sized recreations of creatures including the Banshee, Direhorse, and Viperwolf, visitors to AVATAR: Discover Pandora will be able to experience the science and wonder of Pandora firsthand. The dynamic guest experience will allow visitors to:
- Enter an exhibition curated by the Pandoran Research Foundation where they will leave the 21stcentury behind and step into a 22nd century world of the AVATAR franchise;
- Learn about space travel and the history behind the discovery of Pandora in the Alpha Centaurisolar system;
- Explore recreations of Pandora’s most compelling environments showcasing its unique plants and animals and what they can teach us about our own planet;
- Engage in interactive activities based on the culture, language and music of the Na’vi, the nine-foot-plus-tall humanoids who are the indigenous people of Pandora;
- Experience the jewel-like glow of Pandora’s bioluminescent plants and animals;
- Interact with banshees, learn to operate an AMP suit, picture yourselfas part of the Avatar Program;
- And more!
“In collaboration with the visionary team at Lightstorm and our technologically advanced partners at GES, we are thrilled to support AVATAR: Discover Pandora – which I am confident will be a highly entertaining exhibition that promises to engage, educate and captivate visitors around the world,” said Greg Lombardo, SVP of Global Live and Location Based Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Consumer Products.
“Beast Kingdom has always been dedicated to bringing the newest, hottest European and American film peripheral products as well as major international exhibitions,” said KK Yang, President, Beast Kingdom. “We are elated to work with teams from Fox, Lightstorm and GES to make Taiwan the first stop of the worldwide tour of AVATAR: Discover Pandora.”
“For the last two years, GES’ creative team has been hard at work designing and producing large and small scale displays. As fans of James Cameron’s artistic vision, we utilized the best special effects experts, production designers and artists in the business to create a truly authentic, immersive, and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages,” said Eddie Newquist, Chief Creative Officer and Executive Vice President of Entertainment at GES.
Released in 2009, James Cameron’s AVATAR is the highest-grossing film in motion-picture history, with a box-office gross of nearly $2.8 billion. Mesmerizing all ages across the globe with its otherworldly visuals and groundbreaking special effects, the film quickly became a worldwide phenomenon so popular it will be followed by four sequels, with the first sequel due for release in late 2018. AVATAR was named best picture at the Golden Globe Awards and won numerous Academy Awards®.
About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products
A division of 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.
About GES
GES, a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a global, full-service provider for live events, producing exhibitions, conferences, congresses, corporate events, exhibits and entertainment experiences. GES provides a wide range of services, including official show services, audio visual, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services, and event accommodations – all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including Spring Fair Birmingham, MAGIC, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, and L’Oreal. GES’ National Servicenter® has been recognized with certification under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program℠ for the past seven years, and for the seventh year in a row Ad Age has named GES as one of the “World’s 50 Largest Agency Companies.” For more information, visit www.ges.com.
About Viad
Viad (NYSE: VVI) generates revenue and shareholder value through two distinct business groups: the Marketing & Events Group (GES) and the Travel & Recreation Group. Viad is an S&P SmallCap 600 company. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.viad.com.
About Beast Kingdom
Beast Kingdom is a leading developer of European/U.S. comic and movie peripheral products in Taiwan, offering premium collectable products for consumers. Beast Kingdom has applied its development and manufacturing expertise to market a series of top quality, true-scale collectable statues, high-end action figures, playable and collectable action figures as well as accessories.
Beast Kingdom was founded in 2009. The company’s business scope encompasses: brand agency, product development and sales, organizing themed exhibitions, and own-brand store locations. The company’s products are sold to internationally renowned retailers and distributors under brands such as Beast Kingdom®, Egg Attack®, Egg Attack Action®, and Egg Attack Floating®. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.beast-kingdom.com.tw.
