Arte Museum New York opens in Chelsea
A visitor takes in the "Waterfall" exhibit at Arte Museum in Manhattan. Credit: Kim Ilda
Walk under a waterfall, swim next to a whale or feel the power of a tornado at Arte Museum New York, the latest immersive art exhibit to open in New York City.
A similar exhibit has been running since 2023 on the strip in Las Vegas, where tourists raved about getting lost in everything from a massive flower garden to a poker hand. Produced by d’strictCQ, a South Korean digital design company, it has been seen worldwide by more than 10 million people, with exhibitions in Seoul, Dubai and elsewhere.
Arte Museum was inspired by the theme “eternal nature,” d’strict CEO Sean Lee wrote in an email. “We drew from the beauty and power of natural elements,” noted Lee, pointing out “blooming flower fields, crashing ocean waves, swirling tornadoes and vibrant forests crawling with wildlife. . . . We invite guests to step into a world where nature is not just observed but deeply felt.”
The dazzling combination of art and technology can be seen throughout the exhibition, titled “New York Is Art, Art Is New York, which has doubled in size from the Las Vegas version. “It’s the largest Arte Museum we’ve created to date,” said Lee, adding this was “something we felt was fitting for the cultural capital of the world.” Taking up more than 52,000 square feet at Chelsea Piers 61, the exhibition combines its original focus on nature with a section that explores “the dynamic energy of the concrete jungle,” Lee said.
The NYC installation reimagines iconic locations and moments from the city’s rich history — come face-to-face with Lady Liberty, for example, or stand under the Brooklyn Bridge. “It’s a uniquely immersive take on what makes New York so alive,” said Lee.
Other highlights include the live sketchbook, where visitors can color mythical animals inspired by Eastern mythology (think dragons and phoenixes). Once the drawings are scanned, the images pop up on the screen to wander with other digital creatures. “It’s a magical moment,” Lee said, noting it especially resonates with families. Also enthralling for children is the rabbit room. Exploring Korean folklore, the installation features illuminated rabbits that are said to pound rice cakes in the moonlight.
Scents and soundscapes add to the immersive nature of Arte Museum. Composer Young-gyu Jang has created original music for each installation, and master French perfumer Marianne Nawrocki Sabatier has crafted signature scents. The rooms, said Lee, “are designed to take visitors on a sensory journey.” Details like the calls of a whale or the earthy scent of trees in a forest are “carefully composed to bring each natural scene to life,” said Lee.
At the end of the journey, which typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, the Arte Café offers tea-based mocktails and desserts. The drinks, said Lee, are inspired by the themes and visuals of the art, which allows guests “to revisit their experience through taste and aroma.”
Arte Museum New York
Chelsea Piers 61, Manhattan
Tickets, available through November, are $45-$65 depending on age, residency and day.
Find more information at newyork.artemuseum.com.
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