At its core, the innovation of Jalisco Paseo Interactivo (JAPI) is the creation of a deeply immersive journey into the heart of Jalisco, a state in Mexico. This project, born from the ambitious renovation of the Trompo Mágico Museum for the state's 200th anniversary, was conceived to move beyond the traditional museum model. The mission was to build an interactive experience that celebrates Jalisco from the perspective of its inhabitants. This is achieved by placing the visitor directly within a multi-sensory narrative, realised through several interconnected layers of innovation.
The Concept: A Living, Interconnected Mosaic
The foundation of the immersive experience is JAPI’s guiding exhibition concept: "An Interconnected Mosaic of the Greatness of Jalisco." This powerful metaphor provides unity and coherence across every design discipline, ensuring every element contributes to the immersive whole.
Unlike museums with separate exhibits, JAPI is conceived as a vast, living mosaic. Visitors are not merely observers; they are explorers stepping inside a cohesive narrative world. Each exhibit and interactive element is a unique 'tile' with its intrinsic value, but its full meaning is revealed through its interconnection with all the other pieces.
The Narrative: A Journey Through Four Pillars
The journey through this mosaic is structured by an innovative curatorial framework that immerses visitors in the "virtuous cycle" of Jalisco—the reciprocal relationship between its people and its land. This narrative is built upon four foundational pillars: People, as agents of change; Nature, as the environment they inhabit; Identity, shaped by their communities; and Creativity, expressed through art and technology.
The physical layout of the museum is strategically designed to enhance this narrative immersion, with the essential resources of People and Nature bookending the visitor route, while their outcomes, Identity and Creativity, form the heart of the experience.
The Experience: High-Technology and Physical Immersion
JAPI’s innovation is brought to life through a “phygital” approach that masterfully blends high-technology with physical environments to create a truly immersive setting. This is where the digital and physical worlds merge. Rather than relying on passive screens, the museum features technology-driven experiences that are deeply embedded within the physical exhibits, encouraging hands-on interaction.
This method dissolves the barrier between the visitor and the story, making them an active participant. This phygital philosophy extends across the entire campus, creating a single, “connected museum experience” that seamlessly links the “indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits”. The technology is not the focus, but a powerful tool used to enrich the physical world and deepen the visitor’s immersion in the narrative of Jalisco.
The Social Dimension: A Collaborative Community Hub
Finally, the immersion is made authentic through JAPI’s social innovation. The project is the result of a profound “collaborative effort” involving a wide range of specialists led by Sietecolores Ideas Interactivas. Critically, “local and government participation was fundamental” in shaping a final product that authentically reflects the community it serves.
This collective ownership has established JAPI as a vital “meeting point where families, friends, and people of all ages can come together”, fully immersed in the greatness of their home state. Furthermore, athletes, artists, researchers, and people from indigenous communities, such as the Wixárika community, were involved in the content development and design of several exhibits.
A Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility JAPI’s dedication to innovation is rooted in a deep commitment to inclusion, ensuring the museum is a space for and by the community. This is brought to life through dynamic, participatory experiences.
A key example is a collaborative mural, initiated by a local artist, Luis Cesar Rocca, which serves as a living art piece. It continuously evolves as community members add their contributions, making it a vibrant symbol of shared ownership and ongoing dialogue. Furthermore, inclusion is celebrated through an immersive experience honouring the indigenous Wixárika community. Here, children engage directly with cultural heritage by colouring intricate Wixárika creations made by an indigenous artist. They then use technology to scan their artwork and see it projected onto a large screen, transforming their efforts into a brilliant, collective digital tapestry.
Through initiatives like these, accessibility and inclusion at JAPI are not static features but an active, hands-on process of co-creation, celebrating every voice in the mosaic of Jalisco.
Partners
- YIPP
- SHOSHO
- Ronic
