Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Your Curious Journey’ helped me bring the little things back in focus

At some point, I too felt like I was part of the exhibit The author shares their deep appreciation for art and how Olafur Eliasson's exhibit at MCAD Manila evoked profound reflections on perception and nature. Key installations like 'Yellow Corridor' and 'Beauty' challenged the author's views on color and nature, highlighting the subjective nature of experience. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. As someone who loves going to museums, some of my favorite experiences are those that make me think more deeply, those that put me to a halt and stand in appreciation. I love the moment when a simple visual translates into a story without using words, and shows us a world through the artist’s eyes. It was that same expectation that I brought with me while visiting Olafur Eliasson’s “Your Curious Journey” exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila. Unknowingly, I became part of the art itself as I entered my own curious journey in discovering why Olafur’s works captivated many. A warm welcome? As I took my first steps into the exhibit, a strong yellow light washed over every corner of the space. It felt like a warm yet cold welcome from Olafur as the yellow slowly started fading everything I saw into grayscale, which made the space feel strangely cold and suspended in reality. “Yellow Corridor” was one of the pieces that amazed me, not just because it primed me for all the changes I was about to experience. It was preparing me to step into another world – one that was unknown, uncanny, and strange. It was the first time I saw the world in grayscale. While it was fun to see the colors gradually fade as you entered the corridor, it was also scary. Seeing colors disappear, this piece made me think about how, like yellow light, too much of a certain idea, perspective, or action can create a new kind of blindness. Nature As a nature lover, “Beauty” was one of my favorite pieces in this exhibit. The smell of the water, the sound of the falling mist, and the vibrant colors it projects all tie together into a small waterfall. This piece made me stand in awe; I could have stood there for hours just watching the installation. It was so simple, yet so effective at evoking a sense of peace, as if nothing else in the world existed. It was a reminder of the beauty of nature encapsulated in a room. As I moved around the mist, the light turned into a rainbow whose colors changed ever so slightly. Thus, someone standing a few steps away would see something totally different. And to me, it showed how perception can be deceiving and ever-changing for each person. Personally, this reminds me of a childhood lesson my grade school teacher would say: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. A Reflection of You There were lots of other parts of the exhibit, but let me tell you about one more that really caught my attention. “Your Uncertain Shadow” is an installation that turns your shadow into different colors and sizes. It made me feel like a kid again, playing and seeing how my shadow would react. Feeling that childlike spark again as an adult was a fun experience. It felt like a look back to who we used to be, and that’s what this piece did for me. Contrary to the title of the work, I see this piece as perfectly depicting who we are. We bring pieces of our childhood into adulthood, pieces from friends and family into our daily lives, and memories from the past that taught us lessons to the present. Seeing my shadow split into these colors reminded me of these parts of myself that I often overlook and even forgot. Recognizing these shades of my shadow comforts me, knowing that I still bring the different pieces of me, especially the ones I thought I had left behind. Worth the visit Olafur’s works made me remember all kinds of lessons that I have overlooked throughout my life. I left with the thought of paying more attention to the little, ordinary things that I usually ignore. If you’re paying a visit, just remember that “Your Curious Journey” includes installations with flashing lights, colored lighting, darkened spaces, as well as a large wall incorporating moss which may emit a certain scent. MCAD offers free entrance to the exhibit which would only run until November 15. And if this piece made you curious enough, visit https://www.mcadmanila.org.ph/visit/ for online bookings. – Rappler.com This piece was written by Rappler intern Sebastian Vincent U. Ngo. Basti is a multimedia creative storyteller who focuses on the everyday details that make ordinary moments feel special. He seeks stories and uses design, words, and motion to help people see the familiar in a new light. How does this make you feel? Loading