In 2015, Roko Živković and Tomislav Pamuković came up with a different type of museum to be built in Zagreb. The Museum of Illusions was to offer education with a good helping of entertainment. This “edutainment” contained interactive and photogenic exhibits in the area of puzzles and optical illusions. With its appeal to all ages, locals and visitors, the museum quickly became a success. Maybe this next part was planned, I don’t know, but it wasn’t long before the founders got the notion that they could duplicate the museum in other areas, maybe even globally. In the fall of 2018, the first U.S. Museum of Illusions opened its doors in New York. On May 19, 2023, Atlanta became the newest U.S. museum to open and there are more to come.
If you’re like me, you’ve never known that any of these museums existed, but to date, the locations in the USA include Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Scottsdale, Washington D.C. and the Mall of America in Minnesota. Other “opening soon” locations include Boston, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Manchester, Nashville, San Diego and Seattle. But why are these non-traditional museums so popular?
“The fascinating world of illusions which will trick your confidence in your own senses, but will also amaze you by doing so; the world that will confuse you completely, but also educate you… We promise you will be thrilled because nothing is what it seems, especially not in the Museum of Illusions!” says the folks at the Atlanta location.
“Museum of Illusions offers interactive, immersive and fun experience for children, parents, couples, grandmothers and grandfathers – a perfect, unusual and exciting place for all generations. Amusing and awesome tricks will teach you about vision, perception, the human brain and science so it will be easier to perceive why your eyes see things which your brain cannot understand.”
Here are just some of what you’ll experience when you visit one:
Illusion Rooms: “Immerse yourself into the fascinating world of illusions and let our captivating rooms play tricks on your mind! Get a glimpse of infinity, take a walk in the upside-down world, and grow and shrink your body all in one place. Nothing is impossible! Experience the Tilted Room, Vortex Tunnel and Reversed Room.”
Installations: “Engage in mind-bending installations that will shock your senses, puzzle your perceptions, and astonish you. Hang out with your clones, swap noses with your friends, and serve your head on a platter. Dive into the amazing world of the unbelievable and the impossible!”
Images: “Amusing and awesome tricks will teach you about vision, perception, and the mysterious ways of the human brain. What you see and what you think you see are two totally different concepts, see for yourself!”
The Atlanta museum features over 80 exhibits to explore, experience and take selfies with. Visit the Museum of Illusions website to find the location nearest you and/or information of upcoming museum openings.
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