I miss the sun. Often we take for granted how the sun just makes everything warmer, brighter, that we complain when the day is becoming “too hot” or her glare is too bright for us to see anything. And then she doesn’t show up for a couple of days and we again complain why that’s the case, then start praying for her to come back, as if we didn’t shun and even curse at her before, when we were all sweaty and kinda dehydrated.
But with every raindrop comes rushes of remembrance, so that we recall things we thought were forgotten. Like that time we became part of art in “Art in Island”.
This was already more than several months ago, the day after we watched the Manila leg of CNBLUE‘s “Between Us” concert tour. Peach and I met up with two of her old-time friends, Jas & Ria, and decided to spend the afternoon at “ART IN ISLAND” before we head back home to Baguio that evening.
When we were looking for side trips after the concert, we opted for something closer to the vicinity, since the concert was held at the Araneta Coliseum, and we were also staying around the Cubao area. It so happened that there was this museum in the area as well.
Art in Island
ART IN ISLAND is the name of the 3D interactive art museum that just opened in 2017 in Cubao, Quezon City. Interestingly enough, it is the biggest 3D art museum in Asia. For now. Because you see, I’m pretty sure a similar place will also open somewhere in the coming months (because isn’t that always the case?).
The building looks nondescript; it’s not even colorful, because it looked like any other cube-like structure. Until you see one wall of murals, and a couple of catchy installations. This was on the month of December, which explains that tree art installation in the middle of the parking area.
As we were working our way through the massive building, I was reminded greatly of that time we visited the Seoul Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae. (You can read about it in this post.) Halfway through, I realized why I got those same vibes.
It’s because this place was also created by Korean 3D artists and painters. Compared to the Seoul Trick Eye Museum, this place is much bigger, and has more offerings. Although I can’t be sure that’s still the case, because it’s been years since my first foray in a 3D interactive art museum.
It was 12:30PM when we arrived at the Museum, took photos out front, then bought tickets. Peach’s treat, so yaaay~
Admission is Php500 for adults, Php400 for children. I thought it was a bit pricey, too, but let me tell you what I think about it later when we’re done.
(All photos in this post are credited to Peach, unless otherwise indicated in the captions.)
And before I begin with the photos, let me just pimp one of my favorite shirts (such a favorite I wore it only once, like, ever. Only this one time, haha!). Like-minded individuals and kindred spirits will know why.
And no, it’s not about Justin Bieber.
Welcome to The World of Illusion Art
Because that’s exactly the type of art that fills this huge two-level space.
Illusion Art combines “illusions” (deceptive and misleading images) with art, creating the impression of a three-dimensional (3D) object on a flat surface, which will allow spectators to interact with the art piece and save the memories by taking pictures. So how is illusion art completed? By the painting’s “shadow” and the performance of the spectators or audience, who get to become the director, scriptwriter, or storyteller with regards to the art piece.
So, in short, you can go crazy with taking photos with the art works.
And that’s exactly what we did. (So glad I was in jeans, and dark-colored at that. Otherwise I’d look like I just rolled all over the floor. Which I did, to a great extent.
We felt like we reverted to being kids the moment we crossed the threshold into the Museum. Everywhere you look there’d be a painting on the wall and floor, or a sculpture, that will make you want to just drop your stuff and start playing around while someone takes your photos.
I cannot count the number of times we literally just dropped our bags and rushed over to have our photos taken.
By the way, when you go in, you are required to leave your shoes, so you either go in barefoot or in socks. You may also leave any large bags you have because, trust me, you’d want to go as hands-free as possible when you’re inside.
While inside, you will be transported to various places – real and make-believe – and you can pose to your heart’s content. To help you out, there are some suggested poses on the sides, which will give you an idea how to pose or even how to take the photos and maximize the effect of the art work.
When you’re in Art In Island, you’d better hope there isn’t much of a crowd, so you don’t have to wait for each others’ turn. But even if that were the case, you can just move on to another art work and just go back when the coast is clear, so to speak.
The art works are a diverse mix of the cute and the weird, the dark and the light, and the realistic and fantastical. I mean, in no way would I ever imagine myself sitting all comfortable and cozy in the jaws of a crocodile.
Taking selfies with an ape… there may be a possibility for that, although not all that high.
One minute you’re in the middle of the Amazon jungle, and the next you’re in the North (or is it South?) Pole having your photos taken by a Polar Bear whilst pushing a couple of penguins over the edge because, well, they’re just in the way.
And that little boy just strolled out of nowhere to join me on that ice sliding activity. He doesn’t look all that frazzled, eh?
One thing that occurred to me while we were fooling around here, is that you have to be somewhat shameless and reckless. If you’re not the most comfortable doing “acting” poses – as I am – the key is to go there with people who are as game as you are. That is definitely motivating, haha!
Incidentally, I was also with Peach when we visited Trick Eye Museum, so we’ve been through this experience before. XDD I think our companions indulged the two of us as we went… well, kinda berserk.
I suppose being imaginative is also needed if you are to have a good time here. Because if you can’t imagine what the resulting photos would be like, then you won’t get the effect you’re supposed to go for.
That’s where the “pose suggestions” come in handy. Not that we strictly followed the suggestions. We just… went for it. *grins*
Some of the art works in Art In Island looked definitely familiar, because I also saw them at the Trick Eye. Like this one below of that boy stepping out of the window. That was one of the first art pieces when we entered the Seoul Trick Eye Museum.
Painting In Motion
“Painting in Motion” is one of the main attractions of the show, held at the Main Hall of Art In Island.
Basically, the Main Hall is a wide room with a high ceiling, and a raised circular platform in the middle. The room itself is not circular, but all sides have floor to ceiling paintings that are basically, well, illusion art.
Every two hours, Art In Island holds an interactive light show in the Main Hall. We were able to catch the 1:00 PM show.
Basically, you sit down on the floor, the Main Hall becomes pitch black, and suddenly music starts to plays as lights come on, dancing and illuminating the paintings on the wall and ceiling, as a narration comes on.
It’s a five-minute projection show depicting the Creation Story. It’s like watching a shadow play and a light show combined, utilizing projection mapping technology.
I was verrrrrry impressed.
I started taking a video of it, then realized that paying attention to the video meant not actually paying attention to the real show happening before me. So I turned off my camera, just sat back, and enjoyed the show.
After the five minutes were up, we just lounged around the Main Hall, recharging our phone batteries (haha! Yeah, you have to make sure your cameras are fully charged or that you have spare batteries to juice up your gadgets.)
Then we took our time playing and posing along the art within the Main Hall.
Like that large ship in the photo below. In the light show earlier, it was depicted as Noah’s Ark.
This one painting of the ruins of ancient Egypt particularly cracked me up. Because the floor had that painting of a hole. So of course we wanted to have our photos taken as if we are about to step down into the hole.
Legit, Peach and I walked around the edge to get to where we stood to take the photo, as if it was an actual hole that we may fall into.
There were so many art pieces inside the museum that I really really loved, and to say that we went overboard with taking photos would be an understatement,
But hey, you are allowed to do that if you’re here. In fact, if you come here and not take photos, then… what was the point, eh?
This one, in particular, was one of my personal favorites. I swear, if I come across a place like this in real life, I’d love to try crossing that bridge, even if I had to crawl on all fours.
This looks so comfy and warm, huh? But nah, that’s a wall. And a floor. Both cold. No furry giant cat to cuddle you as you snuggle in close. No fluffy carpet on the floor, either.
Meet my new feathery friends!! Aren’t they the cutest!
This was an interesting piece. It’s hard to explain how it works. Suffice it to say that there are two pieces. One is a large chair WITH NO legs situated far back; that’s where Peach sat on. The other is a chair but with only the legs, and that’s where I stood next to.
The trick here lies in the hands of the one taking the photograph. In this case, it was Jas, who so nicely took multiple photos of us as she tried adjusting here and there to get the money shot.
Yes, this is also one of my favorites in the museum,
What I have uploaded in this blog post is just around 50-60% of what’s inside the Art In Island 3D Interactive Art Museum. As things stood, we came out of the museum at 4PM, which meant we spent three and a half hours inside! We could’ve hung out more and maybe explored more, but we had a trip to catch back home, so we had to leave.
I’d say this is a great place to bring your group of friends or family and spend quality time with them. Kids will definitely love many parts of this museum; and older ones who are more artistically-inclined are likely to appreciate seeing some classics getting a new humorous spin.
But even if you are clueless about art, no doubt you’d still have fun in this large space.
And it is huuuggeeee. Many times we thought we’ve seen the end of the art works, only to turn one corner and find more. So I would not be surprised if we missed an alcove or a room here and there.
I would like to thank these three ladies for spending such a fun afternoon with me at Art In Island. For a couple of hours, we became kids, mermaids, tomb raiders and all sorts of things, and all it took were several snaps and some crazy poses.
Operating hours are from 9:30 AM until 9:30 PM, from Tuesdays to Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays.
Admission is Php500 for adults; Php400 for students, PWDs and senior citizens. Children below 3 ft can get in for free, with parental supervision. If you are a group of 15 people, you can get 20% off, and if you come here on your birthday, the day before, or even the day after, you can also get in for free. (OK, I was a couple of weeks early. But then again, Peach did foot the bill, so it still felt like I got in for free on my birthday, harhar.)
For more info, you can check out the Art in Island Facebook page.
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