The new Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian National Museum invites visitors to explore with its interactive video wall with the long-awaited official opening of the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

According to the AV Network publication, “Legislation passed in 2020 officially established the museum, but plans for its building are still forthcoming. Through the support of individuals, foundations, and corporations, including a $10 million lead gift from the family of C. David and Mary Molina, the Molina Family Latino Gallery at The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, had its official unveiling last June, providing the museum a temporary home while serving as the first iteration of the National Museum of the American Latino”.

The debut interactive exhibition, entitled “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States”, highlights the historical and cultural legacies of Latin Americans, and “stories of individuals who have helped to shape the United States, including Mexican American union leader César Chávez, Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente, and Cuban American singer Celia Cruz. Objects and content showcased within the exhibition are accessible in both English and Spanish, and a companion website was developed to highlight select oral histories, 3D objects, and historical biographies”.

The gallery features a large Planar TVF Series LED video wall called “Meet Us”, which offers compelling content and dynamic images that reflect the diversity of the Latino experience in the United States. The video wall was chosen for its ability to display clear and crisp content, even in an environment with lots of natural light, and its configuration flexibility for different uses. Sensors have been incorporated to provide an interactive and immersive experience for visitors.

The installation of the video wall was carried out by BBI Engineering, and the pixel density of 1.2 mm was chosen as a balance between cost and resolution. The installation process has been simplified thanks to the stackable, cable-free design of Planar’s TVF series.

The response from visitors towards the video wall has been positive, as it provides a dynamic experience with excellent color definition and connection with all visitors. In addition to the video wall, the gallery offers other interactive spaces, such as the We Are Theater, the General Motors Learning Lounge and MUSLE, which shares demographics, according to the same publication.