I recently had the opportunity to visit the newest, and exciting, art exhibit right here at home in San Diego! Wonderspaces San Diego offers a one-of-a-kind experience for any art lover or even lover of having the coolest pics on their Instagram page! Wonderspaces partners with artists from all over the world to provide incredibly unique, interactive, and inspiring art pieces for your viewing pleasure. From digital media, to virtual reality, and light installations – there’s something to tantalize all your senses!
I can truly appreciate the mix of media provided in a show of this nature! It allows you to really feel what the artists intension was for their piece and can also have such social and/or economic relativism. There were some pieces where you could either touch or feel the components to really make you feel part of the art! It was hard to choose but, below are my top ten favorites from this year’s show! Read on for some art worthy inspiration.
1. Impulse by Martin Messier
This unique piece involves an interesting juxtaposition of several elements. The Canadian artist (yay Canada!), created this piece by forming each part to be made of two metal panels linked together by 8 wires that rhythmically light up to a computerized sound. A play on light and sound is prevalent here which almost makes you feel as if you’re standing amidst an electric static field! For his piece, Messier’s intention was to mimic the energy of a functioning brain, which is seen by the paths of light traveling between one panel to another. Really cool and impactful!
2. Body Paint by Memo Akten
I love how fun and interactive this one is! This seemed to be a big hit for the kids at the show as well. This piece provides a large digital screen, which visitors can essentially ‘paint’ on by simple movements of the body. Imagine yourself waving your hand in front of the screen to see swipes of colorful, digital paint before you. Use your body in rhythmic formations to create your own work of art! The intention of this piece is to evoke a response from the act of you ‘painting’ your own creation. It is about the response and delight you feel during this art process as opposed to the response you feel when you’ve completed an art piece. Similarly, when you stop moving, the painting slowly disappears, only leaving you with the memory of your creation.
3. Black Balloons by Tadao Cern
This is one of those pieces that you admire and wonder how it can remain so immaculate while still creating such an impact for the viewer! I love the simplicity of this one while still creating a beautiful canvas for the eye to wonder through. The artist became almost obsessed with the idea of perfectly connecting two balloons which we see hundreds being connected in this piece! It’s a fun, childlike discovery of such simple elements (both color and form) can entice you to explore this one.
4. Submergence by Squidsoup
Another light installation that’s truly interactive and playful. Submergence allows you to walk through 8,064 individual points of suspended light to evoke feelings light, color, movement, and overall physical space. Another simple concept with a great impact! As an Interior Designer, it’s interesting to experience a sense of physical space without walls! This is the exact intention of the artists – to transform the relationship between virtual and physical worlds. This lighted narrative, approximately 12 minutes in total, takes you through an abstracted story with a subtle increase in intension as the piece unfolds, leading to an outcome.
5. Into the Breath by Stefano Ogliari Badessi
This had to have been my favorite piece at the show! When you first approach it, it’s hard to interpret what it can really be or what it’s purpose is but, upon delving yourself into this dragon balloon, you’re taken into a magical experience of scale and form. The materials, merely plastic bags and tape, are so effective in conveying the message of the piece while providing enough transparency to allow the perfect amount of light through. The amazing thing about this artist is his ability to combine travel with art – he can literally pack up his pieces and take them anywhere in the world! Very inspiring and fantastical!
6. Magnetic Field by Collective Void
This interesting piece takes a generic material and, quite literally, transforms it into a living being! It may seem strange to see a series of steel wool as an installation, but, the addition and influence of the rotating magnetic disks throughout is really something to see! Visitors are encouraged to lightly touch and experience the living steel wool on the walls. Witness the movement, sounds, and pulsing throughout this unique installation! The artists focused their research on the use of sound as a visual medium to influence human perception and interaction. You truly can’t help but to feel a part of the heartbeat of this piece!
7. Volumen by Filip Roca
This name says it best – a mesmerizing play on volume and light! This is one of those pieces you can easily get lost in. The lighted, 3D forms created in a defined space create the coolest optical illusions! From linear to organic, each shape formed from this audiovisual delight is more unique than the last. I love that the artist kept this one in simple black and white form. It’s so impactful on its own, without the use of color!
8. The Border by Carolin Wanitzek
This graphical illustration is such an impressive expression of meticulous workmanship using colored paper. I love the tone on tone use of color here with the occasional pop of complementary colors to make an impact. This piece takes you through a playful and graphical setting, a forest if you will, where you travel between both worlds -reality and subconscious. So creative!
9. To Do by Illegal Art
Another quite literal piece by way of its name but, carries such a huge human impact. We all have taken advantage of the good old ‘to do’ list – whether it be a grocery list, reminder, command, or mantra. I know my work space has been littered with colorful 3×3 ‘to-dos’ more than once! This goal of these artists is to provide a public piece whereby the visitor can participate in an inspiring, self-reflective, and thoughtful nature. It’s all about the human connection with this one! Grab a pen, and jot down what comes to mind, what inspires you, or your biggest aspiration. I loved reading the variety of visitor’s to-dos! There truly is a human connection that is palpable with this piece. Check out my ‘to-do’ below.
10. Dinner Party by Skybound & RYOT
Dinner Party proved to be an amazing VR experience! Being new to the VR world myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one and, to be honest, was a bit anxious of the unknown! This piece takes place in a literal dinner party setting where participates are seated at a communal table, undergoing this VR experience together. What you quickly come to realize is the setting and the story are two separate entities. Once you place the VR goggles on, you’re taken into a short virtual thriller that provides a dramatization of the story of Betty and Barney Hill, who in the 60’s reported the first UFO abduction case in the US. The visual experience of the real and out of body aspects of this incredible story leaves you shaken to the core!
Don’t live in San Diego? Not to worry! Wonderspaces travels throughout major cities in the US so you too can experience the wonder that is Wonderspaces.
