Spaceworks – Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | Gizmo Art Production

Project Overview

Gizmo Art Production partnered with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to fabricate and install Spaceworks — an immersive, interactive exhibit exploring the relationship between Earth, the Moon, and our solar system. The project combines artistic design, scientific accuracy, and precise mechanical fabrication to bring the cosmos to life within the museum’s galleries.

Central Earth and Moon Feature

At the heart of the exhibit is a large, illuminated Earth model with an orbiting Moon that casts realistic shadows to demonstrate the physicality of lunar phases. Gizmo fabricated the structural frame, internal mechanics, and movement system to accurately replicate the orrery motion. The result is a dynamic, engaging centerpiece that captures the constant dance between Earth and its satellite.

Tides and Moon Interaction Spinner

Visitors can interact with a hands-on spinner, triggering a corresponding video loop that visualizes how the Moon’s gravitational pull affects tides on Earth. Gizmo engineered and fabricated the mechanical spinner, supporting structure, and media housing, ensuring smooth operation and seamless AV integration.

Planetary Sound Experience

Four listening stations offer an auditory journey through the solar system:

• Venus – Sounds of its dense, windy atmosphere

• Mars – Audio captured by NASA probes

• Saturn (Titan) – Signals from Titan’s surface

• Exoplanets – Data-driven “polling” tones from beyond our solar system

Each station combines custom cabinetry, integrated audio playback, and NASA-sourced recordings to create a multisensory experience. Gizmo fabricated all AV housings, physical components, and installation systems for the tabletop and wall-mounted units.

Scaled Solar System Installation

The exhibit expands into a full-room display of planetary models, each to scale relative to the others. Gizmo fabricated and installed the planets throughout the gallery, with larger models mounted to the walls and smaller, touchable versions placed on tabletops. Each piece was crafted with durable materials and finishes suitable for high visitor engagement.

Result

Spaceworks transforms scientific concepts into tangible, interactive art. Through movement, sound, and scale, visitors experience the forces that shape our solar system in a uniquely physical and memorable way — a testament to Gizmo’s commitment to blending craftsmanship, creativity, and education.