Picture this: you’re standing in a room where the floor ripples beneath your feet like a digital ocean, the walls pulse with ever-changing colors, and you can’t quite tell where reality ends and art begins. No, you haven’t accidentally wandered into a sci-fi movie set or eaten one too many of those “special” brownies. Welcome to WNDR Museum Boston, where the line between spectator and artwork blurs into one immersive experience. We highly anticipated our visit after learning about the WNDR experience!
What’s the WNDR?
WNDR Museum, the latest addition to Boston’s already impressive cultural landscape, is like that cool, artsy friend who always knows about the hippest happenings – except this friend is an entire building. Originating in Chicago, WNDR has brought its unique brand of immersive, interactive, and occasionally mind-boggling art experiences to Beantown, proving once and for all that Boston isn’t just about clam chowder and dropping R’s from words.
We were able to ask a few questions with the Senior Marketing Manager, Chelsea Coatney, about the WNDR Museum. So how does WNDR define immersive art?
“We define an immersive experience as something that activates the six senses. Curious guests use all their senses to ignite their final one: WNDR. WNDR is the sixth human sense that feeds creativity, curiosity and the idea of possibility. Our Boston venue follows our flagship in Chicago that’s been open since 2018 and our second venue in San Diego. WNDR is an ever-evolving experience and Boston is an evolution. Over half of the installations on display made their WNDR debut in Boston. Our exhibit is a mixture of installations from the minds of our in-house creative team and artists/makers from around the world who are true producers of creative joy. As we grow in Boston, we look to be introducing new elements and layers in 2025 and beyond.”
A Sensory Smorgasbord
From the moment you step inside, WNDR Museum assaults your senses like a Jackson Pollock painting come to life. The museum is a labyrinth of rooms, each offering a different experience that’ll make you question reality, your perception, and possibly that third cup of coffee you had this morning.
One of the standout installations is the “Let’s Survive Forever” by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Imagine being surrounded by countless twinkling lights in a space that seems to stretch on forever. It’s like being inside a giant disco ball, minus the questionable ’70s fashion choices.
We asked Chelsea Coatney what the ideal visitor’s journey should be at WNDR Boston and what is one exhibit she believes everyone must experience.
We believe in the power of wonder to bring people together and open minds to possibility. So coming with an open mind is a great first step on the journey. Our intellectual playground was designed to inspire creative joy. As one enters they are prompted to draw on a collaborative drawing table. We see it as the first step to reawaken child-like wonder within all of us. Our immersive and interactive experiences encourage play, and provoke ideas. Guests are then invited to enter the exhibit but we don’t want to give too much away! Our biggest piece of advice is to have fun!
The one installation they have to play with is Andy Arkley’s Glorious Visions of a Rainbow which invites guests to control the artwork with 16 lit arcade buttons that trigger synchronized music and an animation sequence, creating a unique experience for each guest. The WNDR experience doesn’t end when you exit the exhibit and step back into the real world. Our guests are invited to activate their taste buds with local and international flavors in our lounge. We have games available to play, plus a photo booth. No WNDR experience is complete without stopping into our shop which features a curated selection of goods for curious folk.
Luckily on our visit to WNDR, it wasn’t very busy so we were able to spend plenty of time at each exhibit. And one of our favorites was the Glorius Visions of a Rainbow. We loved the ability to create our own “soundtrack” and watch the visuals. You could spend endless hours just at this exhibit!
The Floor is Lava (Sort Of)
Remember that childhood game where you’d jump from furniture to furniture, avoiding the imaginary lava on the floor? WNDR Museum has brought that concept to life with their reactive LED light floor installation. As you move across the space, the floor responds to your steps with bursts of color and light. The exhibit responds to your movements, creating patterns and waves of color as you walk, dance, or attempt that TikTok dance challenge you’ve been practicing in secret. It’s like dancing on a giant iPad, only with less risk of an expensive repair bill if you drop it. It almost feels like you are in a video game! Photos will not do this museum justice, it’s so different being immersed in it.
Snap-Happy Heaven
In today’s social media-driven world, if you didn’t post about it, did it even happen? WNDR Museum seems to have been designed with this philosophical quandary in mind. Every corner of the place is an Instagrammer’s dream, with eye-popping visuals that’ll make your followers green with envy (or possibly just confused, depending on the installation).
Unlike traditional museums where touching the art is a big no-no (I’m looking at you, handsy tourists at the MFA), WNDR encourages interaction. In fact, many of the installations only come to life when you engage with them. It’s like the museum is playing an elaborate game of “Simon Says,” and you’re all too happy to oblige.
Eyes are the Window to the Soul
The “Iris” exhibit at the WNDR Museum was very personal and moving in the best way possible. This installation uses advanced technology to capture a photo of your eye to be displayed on a video wall with thousands of others. It displayed the intricate details of our eyes that explores themes of identity and beauty. This exhibit not only engages us with the sense of self but also blurs the lines between the observer and the art, making each visit uniquely personal.
The Future of Physical Museums like WNDR
WNDR is truly one of a kind, and transcends the definition of what a “museum” is. With this in mind, we asked Chelsea where she sees the future of physical museums like WNDR? Will we looking at a blend of virtual and real, or something entirely new?
“People are craving connections beyond the ones served up by an algorithm. Experiences like WNDR catalyze connections and play a vital role in overall cultural production. We are super excited to roll out more programming in all our communities. We feel that technology can be a great tool in helping deliver awe-inspiring experiences. Younger generations are growing up with even more potential to harness these tools. Every masterpiece and revolutionary idea in human history started with someone wondering. And the best part? The sense of wonder is inside all of us. WNDR helps awaken it.”
Follow WNDR on Instagram and check out a video recap of the museum:
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The WNDR-ful Bottom Line
So, is WNDR Museum worth your time and hard-earned cash? If you enjoy art that makes you think, laugh, and occasionally question your sanity, then absolutely. It’s a playground for adults (and kids too, of course) that manages to be both thought-provoking and just plain fun.
Just be prepared for the possibility that after visiting WNDR Museum, your regular life might seem a little… well, un-WNDR-ful by comparison. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself trying to interact with boring, non-reactive floors or waiting for your bathtub to turn into a digital aquarium.
WNDR Museum Boston is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to add a splash of color, a dash of weirdness, and a hefty dose of fun to their day. It’s proof that art doesn’t have to be stuffy or pretentious – sometimes, it can be as simple (and as complex) as stepping into a room and letting your inner child run wild. Just try not to break anything, okay?
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WNDR MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR HOURS AND TICKETS
