THE WEEKLY CHASE | WONDERSPACES

A white tent sits in the middle of a huge dirt plot. The space itself is subdued, with little acknowledgement of the frenzied activity held inside. Wonderspaces is a pop up art exhibition that came to San Diego for the summer, taking up camp east of the city. With a total of 17 separate interactive installations, it gave a vibe of visiting an artist's studio, sectioned off areas that hosted each piece. Most works had been traveled before, and had even been showcased at events such as Burning Man, Sundance, and Cannes. With a variety of mediums including multiple VR experiences and 3D printed objects, the show offered a youthful experience that was both introspective and engaging.

While many of the installations were technology based, a handful were represented through more classical mediums such as ADA by Karina Smigla-Bobinski. A floating ball in a room covered in charcoal pieces in which participants were invited to push the ball around the room, consequently drawing all over the walls and thus creating a type of art making machine.

Besides experiencing my first VR (Virtual Reality) experience, another favorite video installation was Daydream V2 Nonotak on a Human Scale by Matthew Matthew. A centrally located piano sits before individual screens, each with a individual person. As the viewer hits a key on the piano, a different video is engaged of that person singing the corresponding note. A pseudo-song of individual voices that are then recreated and orchestrated by the player of the piano.

ADA, Karina Smigla-Bobinski.

Other works had a focus on mental health and concepts of introspection. The Last Word by Illegal Art featured a honeycomb board that held small rolls of paper, each written on by participants. Each statement was supposed to exercise words that were never spoken, but had always wanted to be. Whether that had been to a family member, lover, or friend.  If the paper was red, it had been written on and was available to read by others, and if white, the paper was blank and was to be written on returning to the board red side out. Heart-wrenching and touching, the piece made you feel as if you were reading someone's personal diary, while placing a statement felt equal part vulnerable and liberated.

Wonderspaces gave the impression of a interactive playground for adults. Youthful and engaging, but with a versatile exploration into technology that was inherently exciting throughout. Its next stop is Austin, TX so plan on attending if you are near!

More information on Wonderspaces.