Museum of Illusions Tickles Brains of All Ages
“Moving Picture” at Museum of Illusions
Selena Amor for The Evergreen Echo
The Museum of Illusions has been open in Seattle for just around two years now, and each visit promises something unique, engaging, and absolutely mind blowing. During my visit to the MOI, I experienced a tilted room, a room with endless mirrors, and got a few silly snapshots that played with perspective.
Jessica Ayama (she/her), the General Manager of the MOI, gave me a tour and sat down with me to discuss the MOI’s new summer campaign, “Playing Outside of the Ordinary,” as well as some exciting new updates heading the museum’s way in the coming months. “Each quarter we try to put out a new campaign,” Ayama explained. “So every season is different… We’re getting ready for summer, it’s sure to get crazy!”
Before diving into what’s new at the MOI, let’s talk about what makes it so special to begin with. The brand started in Croatia in 2015, with two men who wanted an escape from corporate life. In the decade following, the Museum of Illusions franchise has grown into over 60 locations in 27 different countries, and they are continuing to build. “[The franchise] is ever-growing,” Ayama told me. “We just opened [a museum] in London last month!”
But this doesn’t mean there are 60 carbon copies of the same museum all over the world. Each museum is different from the last, reflecting the city they’re in. Ayama explained, “Each one of the Museums is built into a [previously existing] building itself, so some of them are going to be one floor, two floors, bigger, or smaller…” And at the Museum of Illusions located in Seattle, that means that part of their exhibits reflect Seattle’s culture. Ayama’s example was their ‘following eyes’ illusion, a massive face whose eyes appear to track you as you move across the museum floor: “Ours is the lady with her coffee cup,” Ayama laughed, “Because we’re where? Seattle! Home of the coffee!”
And with the MOI being located in the heart of Seattle, just a few skips or a quick bus ride away from our other mainline attractions (the Space Needle, Pike Place, or MoPOP), it’s easy to pop in and enjoy what the museum has to offer. There are dozens of exciting attractions from top to bottom, including paintings that seem to wiggle, move, or test your eyes, sculptures that look like endless tunnels to nowhere, and rooms built to bend your reality. Alongside these mind-blowing exhibits are plaques with explanations or instructions, pressing you to stay curious.
Exhibits at Museum of Illusions
Selena Amor for The Evergreen Echo
With ties to different community centers, like the local YMCA and Girl Scouts, Ayama recounts that they often see groups of children on tours through their space. “A lot of the time [the kids] don’t even realize they’re learning.” Ayama said. But the MOI is for more than just kids. “Seattle is a diverse place,” Ayama told me. “It’s important being a business that can cater to all walks of life, whether it’s the kids, whether it’s the older generation, whether it’s families or couples on dates. Everyone is welcome, we are all here to have fun and make memories.”
Another great aspect of the MOI is that they are consistently updating for each season and holiday. Ayama said, “Everything changes a little bit so it’s never the exact same experience... You will always leave here with a puzzle unsolved, there’s always a reason to come back and do it again.” At the time of my visit, they were preparing their store for summer, and Ayama excitedly told me about their plans for the upcoming festivities, including a rainbow decorated kaleidoscope feature for Pride, as well as a Wall of Love, and a new addition to their infinity room for FIFA fans.
Ayama’s favorite part of the experience? “Getting to watch everybody interact with the exhibits and then getting to take those photos home.” As we walked through the museum, she stopped to show me the markers on the floor that indicate the best vantage point to snap a picture of the illusions. Her favorite of these photo opportunities is the Building Illusion. “If I’m not in the office, I’m usually over there, ready to help take those photos!” This is another highlight of the museum—how readily the staff are to help explain an illusion, give you a hint for a puzzle, or take photos for you to enjoy with your friends and family.
Until July 27, the MOI’s summer campaign and new membership program offer an even better way to get involved. The family package for summer includes four tickets (two adults, two children) and a $25 credit to use in any way you like at the MOI. They are also doing a special 10% off admissions fee for soccer fans who show up in a team jersey. So, if you find yourself downtown with some extra time on your hands, have fun at the MOI and enjoy the wacky and fun exhibits guaranteed to blow your mind.
