Immersive Storytelling for Arctic Indigenous People

Tasked with designing a pavilion to represent Yamal at the World Youth Festival, Lorem Ipsum created an experience that authentically reflected the Arctic region both inside and out.

The pavilion’s architectural design drew inspiration from northern nature and the mobile homes of the indigenous Nenets. The building’s facade featured traditional patterns and a light installation mimicking the Northern Lights.

Inside, the pavilion included a 500-seat lecture hall with a stage and a panoramic screen, as well as an exhibit zone highlighting the distinct landscapes and charm of the Polar region.

A sled and a traditional winter habitation allowed visitors to try on the clothing of the region’s indigenous people, enhanced by an augmented reality experience that enabled photos with a 3D figure of a reindeer using WebAR technology.

Tactile installations offered visitors the opportunity to touch actual pieces of the region’s natural environment, including musk ox wool, distinctive stones, lichen, mammoth tusk, fish skin, and the plant carpet of the tundra.

Lorem Ipsum also produced all the multimedia content in the pavilion. Several multi-screen installations displayed programs showcasing the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, modern life, and achievements in industry and infrastructure.

The exhibit zone also hosted master classes on creating Yamal amulets, assembling miniature tents, making Nenets dolls called nuhuko, crafting postcards with traditional patterns, and creating bracelets with the region’s branding.

Dynamic immersive shows, held throughout the day, highlighted the enchanting aspects of Yamal’s environment — sunrise, snowfall, and the Northern Lights — combining multimedia, lighting, and physical special effects such as mist and falling snow.

The Pavilion’s program included lectures and panel discussions, as well as performance by a traditional dance troupe, a sound performance, a festival karaoke, and an instrumental jam session.