Mind-boggling marvels: Johannesburg unveils South Africa's first Museum of Illusions
South Africa celebrated the opening of its first Museum of Illusions in Johannesburg, marking it as the 53rd location worldwide. The museum opened with a festive event last Friday, featuring refreshments and interactive experiences for guests. The museum encourages visitor interaction with over 60 exhibits featuring optical illusions, including the Infinity Room, Vortex Tunnel, a walk-in kaleidoscope, and more.
South Africa recently celebrated opening its first Museum of Illusions in Johannesburg, offering an array of quirky, mind-boggling, and educational exhibits. This unique venue in Rosebank is the 53rd of its kind globally, joining others in major cities such as Dubai, Chicago, New York, Paris, Istanbul, Milan, Shanghai, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, and Dallas. Grand opening The museum officially opened its doors last Friday, welcoming guests and their families in various time slots from 14:00 to 20:00. The event was a festive occasion with alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments and canapés, as attendees eagerly awaited their turn to explore the museum's captivating interactive stations.
Originating in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2015, the concept of the Museum of Illusions quickly became a worldwide sensation, attracting over 12 million visitors to date. While each museum offers a distinctive experience, they aim to take visitors on an unforgettable sensory journey through installations that integrate art, science, mathematics, and psychology. Unlike traditional museums, where touching exhibits is often prohibited, this museum encourages full interaction. Lots to explore - visitors can engage with various exhibits that utilize optical illusions and visual tricks to create a fun and immersive environment. These exhibits are perfect for those with eager minds and are even more enjoyable when taking photos and videos. Parents and children will find over 60 interactive and challenging stations to explore. The exhibits include illusion rooms, mind-bending installations, and optical illusion images, each offering a unique experience. For instance, the Infinity Room creates the illusion of endless space with strategically placed mirrors, enhanced by hundreds of yellow and white helium balloons during the opening night.
Other highlights include the Vortex Tunnel, which features a narrow bridge and spinning graphics on the wall, creating a dizzying effect. Another memorable one is the walk-in kaleidoscope, which features a hexagonal opening surrounded by mirrors that reflect intricate patterns, making it great for photos.
The Cloning Table is also a must-see. Mirrors around a triangular table create the illusion of one person multiplying into six.
The Magic Box is a particularly intriguing exhibit. It contains a mirror that splits the box's volume in half, creating the illusion of seeing the entire interior when only half is visible. Visitors might see a levitating cube or a pyramid, depending on the viewing angle.
Other engaging exhibits are The Head on a Platter and the Upside Down House. In the former, guests can give the illusion of their head served on a platter, while the latter features an upside-down living room, offering a topsy-turvy photo opportunity.