Mercer Labs stands apart from other museums in the sense that it is a truly immersive experience. This includes wide open space and some tight narrow galleries as well. The museum flows like a snake guiding patrons from one room to the next in a somewhat orderly fashion. For me this was actually a downside as I prefer to relax and explore different sections of a museum at my own pace personally. Each room however is like a sort of experience that should be taken time to really experience each one. Lights, sounds, bright roooms, misty rooms, and more encompass this museum. The artwork is fascinating but the overall atmosphere and flow of the museum doesn’t feel like an inviting space for local artists, but more of a tourist attraction that one would probably visit and never feel the need to return. The biggest problem this museum has is the pungent smells which honestly made me feel sick and want to leave.
Despite this I still consider the work of the artists to be brilliant, having seen displays one would have trouble imagining. It’s worth seeing once in my opinion to see the true capabilities of digital art and the potentials an artist can take their work level to. I also support the idea that anything can truly be art and every aspect of this museum surely promotes that.
Some notable exhibits for me include The Cave, a cherry blossom adorned “cave with comfy rocks and imagery of swinging monkeys; The Dragon, an all immersive highlighted exhibit featuring thousands of led lights; and Archetype, a sand robot viewing exhibit complete with an interactive kinetic sand feature where patrons can get creative themselves.
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| The Cave |
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| The Dragon |
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| Archetype |
