Let’s face it, looking at items in a glass display case sometimes just doesn’t quite do the exhibit justice. Even for the most serious art aficionado, it just doesn’t quite compare to when multiple senses are stimulated and you’re able to be a part of the show. The history and stories become part of your existence (and make for great photo ops); which is why immersive experiences are popping up everywhere. That’s where these five unusual museum experiences come in.
Whether walking through Chicago or scuba diving in Cancun, these installations are far from what you expect when you think of a traditional art tour. From speaking out against gang violence to questioning what art even means, each of these experiences have a unique message that are sure to have your mind turning long after you’ve left.
Kate tells the most Badass Bitches of the Met stories. (Courtesy of Museum Hack)
Badass Bitches Tour of the Met, NYC
You’ve heard of Lilith, right? You know, the mythical demon who was kicked out of the Garden of Eden for trying to ride Adam cowgirl style? What about Dilukai who saved an entire village with her vagina? If you haven’t, then you need to check out the Badass Bitches tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City brought to you by Museum Hack.
The Badass Bitches of the Met celebrates the fascinating, inspiring, and ok, sometimes just plain bizarre stories of the women of the Met. Whether you’re learning about kickass ancient goddesses or the women on the bleeding edge (pun intended) of art philanthropy, you’re going to be mighty proud of your vagina afterwards.
Just because only 6% of the art in the Modern and Contemporary department of the Met was made by women, doesn’t mean there isn’t some seriously badass female art. Museum Hack has painstakingly poured over the exhibits to find the most engaging works by women to make sure their stories are heard and their art celebrated. Museum Hack invites you to come help them smash the patriarchy in the arts world! // museumhack.com
Art by by Los Angeles-based artist Mathew Chambers. (Courtesy of Saatchi Gallery)
Saatchi Gallery, London
Though it can be tempting to just wander aimlessly around Shoe Heaven in Harrods while you’re in London, there’s no question that it’s one of the best cities for art lovers; despite the political issues surrounding the British Museum. Luckily, the Saatchi Gallery is just as awe inspiring as the British Museum, minus the international disputes and stolen art, so it’s a great option if you’re avoiding London’s premier museum.
If walls could talk, they’d probably tell you that the most asked question at Saatchi is, “Is this even art?” The Saatchi Gallery aims to showcase the modern work of local and international artists who wouldn’t necessarily be able to have their art displayed elsewhere due to their controversial nature or age.
Right now, you can visit the “Iconoclasts: Art Out of the Mainstream,” exhibit for a taste of everything from the melancholic to the erotic, as long as it breaks down the boundaries for what can be considered art. Don’t miss Douglas White’s “New Skin for an Old Ceremony,” meant to look like piles of human flesh. Up next? An exhibit on art as social satire, timely inspiration for us all. Dates to be announced. // saatchigallery.com
Museu de L’eròtica (Courtesy of Waymarking)
Museu de L’Eròtica, Barcelona, Spain
Ready for some radical sex positivity? Check out the Erotic Museum in Barcelona for a historical and cultural experience like no other. Sex may sell—they house a vast collection of dildos—but the museum definitely is not a cheap cash grab. They genuinely want to break down taboos and open up conversations, while sharing the fascinating history of human sexuality across dozens of world cultures. The museum actually traces the history of sex through early human evolution, from ancient cultures up to the present day, featuring priceless art side-by-side with sex toys that would raise the eyebrows of even Ron Jeremy.
Learn about sex during the Upper Palaeolithic period or see how the Spanish porn industry was born out of King Alfonso XIII’s personal collection; there’s no reason for awkward silences anymore on Tinder dates. // erotica-museum.com
400 sculptures were created from casts of real people, placed on the ocean floor outside of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres National Marine Park by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor. Called “The Silent Evolution” the installation is a part of MUSA with a goal to encourage coral growth near Cancun. (Courtesy of Jason de Caires Taylor)
Museo Subacuático de Arte, Cancun, Mexico
Most people think a visit to Cancun is just for slugging margaritas on one of Mexico’s most pristine beaches, which let’s admit it pretty great, but you shouldn’t overlook the thriving art scene or dedication to conservation among its many gems.
Museo Subacuático de Arte, or MUSA, manages to combine the best Cancun has to offer in an underwater museum. In an effort to draw visitors away from Cancun’s fragile coral reefs, 500 custom sculptures were sunk to the bottom of Cancun’s crystal clear waters.
Never forgetting their commitment to sustainability, the sculptures were designed from materials made to encourage the growth of reef life. Most of the sculptures are of people and the natural material has allowed them to morph to fit their environment, reflecting that humans should adapt to nature, rather than changing the environment for our own purposes. The sculptures are now covered in coral and surrounded with marine life, creating what looks like an underwater army of human-like sea creatures that could have walked right off a Guillermo del Toro set; reminding visitors that we, as humans, are intertwined with the natural world. The sculptures can be viewed by scuba diving, snorkeling, or glass bottom boat for those who don’t want to get wet. // musamexico.org
One of the many Pilson murals depicting the culture and struggles of the neighborhood. (Courtesy of Karrie Kwong)
Pilsen Murals Tour, Chicago
Most who visit Chicago do not think to visit Pilsen, the center of Chicago’s Mexican-American community, but the once predominantly Czech neighborhood now serves as a fascinating microcosm for the larger issues facing Chicago today. Like much of city, Pilsen’s rich cultural heritage is often overshadowed by gang violence, inequality, and poverty. The Pilsen murals are meant to celebrate Mexican heritage while giving artists living in Pilsen the platform to make their stories heard.
The mural project was inspired by the work of Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera who used the medium to make a political statement; which is exactly what this collection of public art does. Brick walls are transformed into an ongoing conversation between Chicago and its often underserved Mexican-American community. Some pieces, like a stunning depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrates Mexican heritage in the U.S. in a time when it’s perhaps most critical. Other pieces pick up on the major issues facing Pilsen—you may see a piece dedicated to the victims of gang violence or another speaking out against the deportation of Mexican immigrants. Few exhibits could be more topical.
What makes the Pilsen mural project so unique is its authenticity. It’s wasn’t organized and designed by a distant museum curator, it grew naturally out of the needs and voices of the community. The chosen medium works perfectly, reclaiming the space that has been besieged by gang violence and the rising cost of rent while showing the power of art to transform a community.
If you visit Pilsen, it’s definitely recommended that you take a guided tour of the murals to learn about the social mission behind each piece. // chicagohistory.org
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