NYC – The Museum of Feelings presented by Glade, opened on Monday, November 23rd, 2015 is a new approach to the idea of ‘museum’, with highly curated, multi-sensory ’emotional experiences’.
Of course, while feelings may not be regarded as “historical” or directly “artistic” they have attributes of fine art as we know it today. Consider it: emotions are felt by everyone, but how do we react to emotions? How tolerant can we be to changes in emotion? Or, can emotional change by forced upon us, and then, made beautiful? It is these ideas that Glade so aggressively examines at its visually impressive pop-up museum on the edge of the Hudson River at the newly renovated Brookfield Place.
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The rooms are infinite and fascinating, each one presenting new canvas upon which you use senses, from the ethereal music to the uncertainty. But, trust, there is no sense of anxiety. By entering, you feel safe. You feel empowered, you can venture while knowing there is a bound at some point. The smells can fall back to be less intimidating and make enhancements. Many of the rooms are dark, which allows the mind to venture and the person feel comfortable in experimenting and being in absolute self control. It’s the manifestation of restrictions leading to creativity. Many of the rooms are empty- just a change in lighting, scent, texture, shape. These simple adjustments can make for wholly unique experiences.
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The Museum of Feelings is best explored with a small crowd. Some of the rooms ideally would be experienced with no one else but yourself. Scent is a personal experience. I ventured through the maze of a museum with a friend. We didn’t share our favorite room until the end. My favorite room was different than his, but we ended up loving the same particular scent. The scents in each room are available in candle form, in clean, small white boxes. There is a purity here that is a wonderfully approached by the curators at Glade. Its the museum powered by emotion- literally, the building’s color exterior is reactive to the mood of NYC as indicated on the museum’s website.
The opening party featured a performance by Becky G and was attended by many social media stars who often dabble and explore experimental arts. A unique array of hors d’oeuvres and drinks with scene infused additions made for a special treat on the cold New York evening.
Now open to the public
November 24th — December 15th
Monday — Saturday: 11am — 9pm
Sunday: 11am — 7pm
230 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10080
