Ready to have your breath taken away? Te Papa Museum is set to launch a groundbreaking new digital art experience this summer that promises to transport you to the most incredible corners of the universe and back!
Opening on December 13th, Breathe | Mauri Ora is more than just an exhibition; it's an immersive journey. Imagine yourself sharing a breath with a rainforest or becoming stardust in the cosmos. This experience, developed by the London-based art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast, blends art, science, and technology in a way that's never been seen before.
But here's where it gets exciting: this exhibition uses cutting-edge technology to explore the invisible forces connecting all living things. Visitors will embark on a virtual reality adventure, traveling through the human body as an oxygen molecule! The curators at Te Papa have been hard at work testing this innovative technology.
As senior art curator Rebecca Rice explains, "You’re going to experience the journey of a breath from an ancient tree in the Amazon forest, through the human body, to the stars and back again." The artists use data from various sources, including MRI and CT scans, and even data captured from black holes and rainforest trees, to create awe-inspiring visual art. They then translate this data into stunning artworks in their studio.
The experience begins with a guided meditation voiced by the Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, accompanied by poetry from Daisy Lafarge. You'll be seated comfortably, perhaps on a beanbag, listening to a beautiful poem. From there, you'll move through vast projections and soundscapes that simulate life's natural rhythms, from the breath of a rainforest tree to the pull of a black hole.
"I think our visitors are going to be transported deep into the world and way out into the cosmos, and then brought back into themselves," says Te Papa chief executive Courtney Johnston.
With tickets starting at $30 for adults, Breathe | Mauri Ora is expected to be a major draw over the summer, giving a timely boost to the national museum. The exhibition runs from December 13, 2025, to April 27, 2026.
What do you think? Will you be experiencing this unique exhibition? Do you believe that art can effectively combine science and technology to create such immersive experiences? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
