Where storytelling swims upstream — a virtual dive into nature’s most epic journey, Uninterrupted-VR brings this experience to life like never before.
Uninterrupted-VR Brings Salmon Migration to Life
The Comox Valley Art Gallery invites visitors to experience Uninterrupted-VR, a 24-minute virtual reality installation that immerses you in the breathtaking upstream journey of Pacific salmon. Unlike traditional exhibits, this one surrounds you with rushing water, darting fish, and the powerful rhythms of nature—all through VR headsets.
Running until May 24, 2025, Uninterrupted-VR is part of the gallery’s ongoing initiative, Immersed – Return to Water. The show runs five times daily, from Wednesday to Saturday, with each session offering a focused and intimate experience. Since each group includes only five viewers, guests can engage with the content without distraction.
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How Uninterrupted-VR Redefines Virtual Reality Art
The creators of Uninterrupted-VR—Nettie Wild, Betsy Carson, Rae Hull, and Michael Brockington—originally designed this experience as a large-scale outdoor projection under Vancouver’s Cambie Bridge in 2017. Today, they have transformed it into a deeply personal and interactive VR experience.
Thanks to this shift into virtual reality, audiences no longer need a public space or urban setting to appreciate the piece. Instead, they can now dive into the heart of nature right from the gallery floor. The creators have also collaborated with Indigenous elder Dr. Mary Thomas, whose voice introduces cultural depth and ancestral knowledge, reminding viewers of salmon’s significance to local ecosystems and First Nations communities.
Incorporating immersive storytelling with advanced visual and auditory design, Uninterrupted-VR provides an emotionally rich experience. It’s not just a simulation—it’s a statement. Learn more
Why This Matters: Connecting Emotion with Ecology
Uninterrupted-VR does more than showcase environmental beauty—it builds empathy. It allows audiences to understand the salmon’s journey not just through facts, but through feeling. As climate change continues to threaten Pacific salmon populations, experiences like this one encourage deeper emotional and ecological reflection.
Unlike passive learning, immersive VR prompts you to act. You don’t just watch the salmon struggle—you feel their urgency. That’s why this project stands at the forefront of environmental art and advocacy. By placing viewers in the salmon’s path, the creators offer a direct connection to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most vital ecological narratives.
For broader context, studies by UNEP show that virtual reality increases environmental awareness significantly more than static visuals or text. Similarly, XR for Change highlights how VR storytelling helps drive policy conversations and public engagement.
Final Thought
Uninterrupted-VR is more than an art installation—it’s a call to reconnect. As the salmon swim upstream, we’re invited to reflect on resilience, tradition, and the fragile beauty of our natural world. Through this VR journey, Comox Valley Art Gallery transforms how we see, feel, and respond to the stories unfolding in our environment.
