Step into the paradoxical world of M.C. Escher and marvel at his myriad architectural constructs and optical illusions at Journey to Infinity: Escher’s World of Wonder. The ArtScience Museum’s newest exhibition, which displays more than 150 original works by the Dutch artist, makes its Southeast Asian debut this Saturday, and includes works from private collections across the globe.
It’s divided into six zones, beginning with Escher’s early work that was inspired by Art Nouveau, an art style that flourished in late 19th century Europe. Up next is the tessellation gallery, where you can examine everything from regular shapes to complex interlocking designs, all drawn with mathematical precision. There’s also a huge tessellation grid that you can play around with to form your own patterns.
At the third area, metamorphosis is the central focus. The artworks here feature the transformation of tessellations, as well as interactive pieces by Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Interactive & Digital Media that show the evolution of Singapore into its modern day form. Following that is a section of Escher’s commercial works, and along the way, you’ll find little activity areas where you can do stuff like construct your own Mobius strip.
The infinity gallery is the more fascinating one — that’s where you’ll find baffling optical illusions and seemingly impossible constructions, as well as some of his most famous works like ‘Ascending and Descending’, ‘Print Gallery’ and ‘Relativity’. You’ll also have the chance to get hands-on at three interactive spaces — the Relativity Room (for you to take trick eye photos), the Mirror Room (for you to admire yourself from all angles gaze in awe at what seems to be infinite images), and the concave and convex reflection spheres.
Escher Mania is what the last zone’s all about; this one’s dedicated to the artists, designers, filmmakers and singers who have created works influenced by him. Pretty inspiring stuff.
Journey to Infinity: Escher’s World of Wonder is on from Sept 24 to the first quarter of 2017 at ArtScience Museum. Singapore resident $14, foreigners $17.
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