From phones to the internet, technology has become indispensable in our daily lives. There are many inventions from virtual reality to artificial intelligence that increase our interaction with the digital world. These innovations are the building blocks of the future. In fact, there is already a place a step ahead of us in Japan.
Named “MORI Building Digital Art Museum”, the innovation museum opened its doors in 2018. Created by a company named teamLab Borderless, this state-of-the-art museum features a three-dimensional place full of projections on every part of each room. The virtual exhibits make use of artistic effects that are triggered by human motion, a highly responsive form of artificial intelligence.
As an enthusiast of digital media, my mother was thrilled to discover this place after conducting research on the possibilities of exploring new places in Japan. Being a typical parent, placing a budget on a holiday would also mean selecting the most rewarding experiences for her children. When an article on this fascinating attraction caught her eye, she wasted no time in including it as a highlight in the family itinerary. The exhibits were spellbinding. We spent many hours there and even removed another location in Tokyo from our itinerary.
Imagine a world of futuristic wonders that you can only see in the movie setting of Avatar. Walls and ceilings with nothing but shifting flowers that sway to an imaginative breeze have a realistic effect that transports you into another part of this world. Wherever you go, iridescentradiance illuminates the rooms as if you are in an enchanted forest.
As we moved from room to room, heedy with the all-new experience, we thought that the rest of the rooms were also going to maintain the same style, only with different decorations. But, oh my, we were completely wrong. In another room that we visited, the ceiling had nothing but lanterns and the walls were made of mirrors. The lamps would shine brightly, at times in the same colour and at other times, appearing like a kaleidoscope. We almost thought we were Alice who had left her wonderland and teleported to a futuristic garden.
The next room did not disappoint. It brought interaction with the visitors to the highest level. Named ‘Athletics Forest’, the place had the nuances of a forest. There was uneven terrain and digital lakes rippled as 3D pebbles were kicked into the water by a careless visitor. Hands-on activities kept us occupied. Jumping in fright, I recoiled as a large lizard scurried past, inviting bouts of laughter from my sister. Each and every one of these animal-like projections were created by the lucky visitors who got their turns in the queue. Massive machines scanned the coloured drawings we sketched, before processing them into 3-dimensional light mobiles. The animals reminded me of
chameleons as they roamed around unabashed. Imagine what you have drawn coming to life! I was awed by the sheer scale of such innovative possibilities.
Even the staircase had not been forgotten, its walls and stairs were all covered with various light splashes. Gaping holes suggesting time travel possibilities and the mysterious wardrobe in the Narnia thrilled us as one surprise overwhelmed another. As we left the place, these exhibits were a reminder of why we should not leave too soon. We were spoilt by the fun experience – something that no other museum can ever offer. Should you decide on a trip to Japan, I am quite sure you will regret missing a visit to this museum