Art in Paradise – Chiangmai’s Illusion Art Museum

I have to admit I love this retirement thing! Wake up in the morning, check my email, do a little blogging and think about the day ahead. Here in Chiangmai there are an unlimited number of things to see and do. Slowly, but surely, we are getting around to check out the numerous tourist sites and attractions in the city. One of the most recent additions to the city is the Illusion Art Museum, which opened last year.

I have ended up chatting with numerous tourists since we moved here and have been told more than once that we should visit this museum. Everyone has enjoyed their visit to the place and cannot say enough good about it. So a few days ago, Nancy and I finally jumped on the scooter and headed out to see what all the fuss is about. We were not disappointed!

The Illusion Art Museum, known as Art in Paradise, is billed as one of the largest 3D Art Museums in the world. The first thing that impressed us was the size. It is big! The second thing that impressed us was the fact that all the exhibits are interactive. I think this is the first museum that I have visited where visitors can touch everything and take photos anywhere. In fact, that is the point of the whole thing.

The Illusion Art Museum consists of several floors of huge 3D artworks that can be used as backdrops for your creative expression. For anyone with a flair for posing, the sky’s the limit. There are suggestions beside many of the exhibits that demonstrate the best way to utilize the backdrops along with marked boxes on the floor to show you where to stand while taking the photographs. Because of the nature of 3D illusions, it is essential to take the photos at the right angles for the optimum result.

Along with the large 3D paintings, there are also collections of many classic optical illusions on display. The whole museum is very well thought out and creatively put together.  There is also a very nice cafe that serves Thai and Korean food (Art in Paradise is a Korean business).

Whether you are a kid, or a kid at heart, this is a great place to spend a couple of hours. It is one of the few places where children can have a field day while they are exposed to some wonderful paintings. As I said above, there are not many places where you can actually interact with art to this extent.

To art purists, it may be a little tacky or kitschy. Some of the paintings are masterpieces transformed into not so classic 3D wall art. However, if you leave your art critic thoughts behind and see it for what it is, it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours out of the hot Chiangmai sunshine by yourself or with a family.

Art in Paradise is open daily from 9am to 9pm. It is located on Chang Klan road just past the huge Shangri La hotel. The entrance fee for adults is 300 baht and 200 for children. If you can show proof of being a local resident, these prices are cut almost in half.