In 2015, Roko Živković and Tomislav Pamuković created the first Museum of Illusions which opened in Zagreb, Croatia. That museum featured a mix of puzzles, rooms that would play tricks with one’s mind and a lot of optical illusions. It was a hit. Today, there are nearly 50 of these museums now which can be found in 25 different countries. The newest addition to this chain of private museums recently opened in Seattle and it’s a great addition for downtown.
I recently got a chance to experience the new MOI with a personal tour with general manager, Krystal Casteneda who explained every one of the features within the 9,000 square-foot museum. Throughout the space, we checked out a variety of “illusion rooms”, displays and games where she would often say, “Here’s a fun one.” (They’re all fun.) Since it’s difficult to verbally describe what I saw and experience, Krystal graciously stood in as a model for me for my photos.
The Museum of Illusions is like a museum for people who hate museums. It’s a playground of sorts with many photo ops. Just about anyone can play and it’s a kick for all ages. But this is more than just a place for selfies. Every feature here comes with scientific information on what you’re seeing and explanations on how they trick your mind. In some cases, they don’t even know.
Some of the best illusions to be found within include tilted rooms where you can literally lean into your surrounds or shrink down in size when you stand in one corner and miraculously grow at the other. You can put your head on a platter and not feel a thing! Walk into one room and your surroundings will change depending on what color the lights are. There are “infinity rooms” where your reflection has reflections (and so on, and so on…), traditional optical illusions and figurines that you’ll swear are changing their shape right before your eyes but aren’t.
Every location features a few exhibits that draw from the local area. In his case, the upside down is inspired by the Seattle monorail. In another room, a large painting shows a woman drinking an espresso while her eyes are focused on you, no matter where you go.
You’ve probably seen those pin art toys where you can press your hand against a bunch of pins and see an 3D image of your hand on the other side. The MOI has a large one where you can put your whole body into it. And the grand finale is the “vortex tunnel” where you’ll be walking straight through a rotating tunnel but feel like you’re spinning around and around. It’s really fun, but it’s not everyone. There is a little bit of everything here, including holograms, but it was a little disappointing to only see four holograms put on display.
One of the most thankless jobs out there has got to be fingerprint cleaner at the Museum of Illusions. Many of these illusions are protected by glass or feature a lot of mirrors. Since guests are actually encouraged to touch everything, they have plenty to do. The museum also features a number of “illusion experts” who are placed strategically throughout. They can help explain different illusions and or take your picture. If you’d rather take pictures yourself, large stickers are placed nearby to show you best place to stand to get the picture that you want.
Finally, and as to be expected, there is a gift shop on the way out where you can take a little bit of the museum home with you.
The Seattle Museum of Illusions is located in the Skinner Building on 5th Avenue and is open seven days a week. Depending on the size of your group, you can probably make it through the museum between 45 and 60 minutes. Tickets start at $27 and while you are welcomed to walk in when ready, they recommend that you schedule your visit online.
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