I’m a fan of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who creates mind-blowing rooms in usually the brightest colors, bringing the viewer into another world, often into delightful illusions. I haven’t seen her art in person yet, and so when I heard that Kusama-inspired rooms have been created in Capitol Commons, Ortigas in the spirit of the holiday season, I made a plan to see them, scheduling my visits when I have meetings near the area.
First, some samples of Yayoi Kusama’s art below:
The Vast Imaginarium Mirror Rooms at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig are four themed rooms. Walking along Capitol Commons, I was greeted by a giant gift box which turned out to be one of the mirror rooms.
The giant gift box had a line forming behind it. It turned out to be one of the mirror rooms.
The gift box was one of the mirror rooms, called the Enchanted Room. It has hanging flowers, fairies, and toadstools, multiplied several-fold, thanks to the mirrors all around the room. Soft music reminiscent of the theme played in the background.
The Enchanted Room found in the giant gift box is a fairytale-inspired wonderland of toadstools and fairies.
Enchanted Room from another angle
Inside Estancia Mall, meanwhile, are three other rooms: one on the first floor, one on the second, and another on the third.
The Green Room on the first floor looks like a magical forest, all in luminous green.
The Green Room is a forest in yes, green.
Looking up the hanging leaves. This photo was taken by a friendly attendant.
Among all the rooms, the Green Room was for me the most peaceful and soothing, probably because of its green color, which is also associated with the heart.
The Lit Room on the basement or lower ground floor, is the room which reminds me most of Kusama’s own mirror rooms, called Infinity Rooms, as it has spheres. Spheres and polka dots are a common motif in Kusama’s art.
The Lit Room is the brightest room. It also reminds me most of Kusama’s art because of the colorful spheres all around.
The Lit Room from another angle
The Abyss on the third floor has a futuristic feel, with its neon lights and angular lines. The multiple reflections are most pronounced in this room.
The multiple reflections are most pronounced in this room. Indeed, it is like looking into an abyss.
The Abyss Room from another angle.
While Kusama’s artwork is on another league which I would like to see someday, the Vast Imaginarium Mirror Rooms delighted the kid in me, and I would recommend it for kids and kids-at-heart.
Below is a video giving a glimpse of each room:
Some notes and tips:
1. The Vast Imaginarium Mirror Rooms are located at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Ortigas, and are open during mall hours (usually up to 10 pm during the holiday season) until January 7 next year.
2. Lines are usually long during weekends, so it is best to come early – or better yet, on a weekday. Personally, my visit took two weeknights. I timed them to when I had commitments in Ortigas.
3. You have two minutes to look around and explore inside the room, which is relatively small but which feels big because of the mirror illusion. The attendant will tell you when your time is up. Attendants are also friendly and are game to take photos.
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