In the spirit of marrying art with science, new immersive artwork exhibits are on display to celebrate the fifth anniversary of ArtScience Museum in Singapore. These new installations are designed to open the door to the study of science through the accessibility of art. The exhibits on display are dependent on viewers — many of them — participating to get the richest experience possible while visiting the museum.
The first display, a stunning and impressive piece called Crystal Universe, aims to give viewers the experience of being suspended in space with a closeup view of stars and planets and galaxies. The installation employs thousands of LED lights that act as heavenly bodies on the move. Viewers step into this brilliant world and enjoy the illusion of immersing themselves in the universe — a view that many of us may never see in our lifetimes. The effect is otherworldly, a sight requiring the suspension of disbelief in order to enjoy a truly artistic take on science.
Other installations at ArtScience Museum function best when many people are engaging with them. This includes the Light Ball Orchestra, an exhibit where visitors are encouraged to roll and bounce large colored balls against the floor and one another. When the balls hit something, they light up and produce sounds. The more balls in play, the more sounds and lights can be experienced. That’s why it behooves guests to work together to create the brightest and noisiest experience possible.
Another installation at ArtScience Museum is a languid display that would seem more at home at a zoo or aquarium. Instead, it’s a projection of fish and other sea creatures interacting with each other on the walls, creating the illusion of being underwater and able to engage with them. These illustrations are both serene and exciting at the same time, making some viewers believe they are looking at actual sea life instead of highly advanced technology making its mark on the art world.
The goal for the curators and organizers of these exhibits at ArtScience Museum — the team is based in Tokyo — is for viewers to experience science and technology through engaging with art. People are meant to look and touch and listen and interact, dictating personalized experiences at the museum. The art will change from time to time, so visitors are also encouraged to invest in season passes to continue to return to the facility, which will afford a new experience with every visit.
Art comes in all different shapes and sizes, and technology is one exciting force acting upon the art world in this moment. Take an art class via SGArtClass.com to ride this cutting edge wave into a hobby or career you may never have considered. Enroll in a class on video art or digital art to explore technology’s role in shaping trends in the art world. It doesn’t matter if you’re a classically trained expert in oil painting or a person with zero art experience.
For more on the exhibits, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/visit-new-worlds-at-artscience-museum.