The Museum of Illusions is scheduled to open in Philadelphia this autumn at 401 Market Street.
Old City and Market Street’s address, 401 – famously a residence for both Wachovia Bank and the American Bible Society – gets a dose of magic realism this autumn when the museum mini-chain, The Museum of Illusions parks its next museum in Philadelphia. Per the announcement, the newest location in American’s oldest city will be a feather in the cap of the Museum of Illusions’ desired global presence, with 30 locations worldwide, and U.S. locations in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, and Kansas City. Designed to amuse, amaze and stimulate the senses, the Museum of Illusions is the world’s fastest-growing museum chain, with the first Museum of Illusions opened in 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia, and spread to 30 museums globally.
Though it sounds obvious (ah, and isn’t that the whole trick?), The Museum of Illusions is all about visual frippery beyond what meets the eye with state-of-the-art sight, sound, and educational exhibits geared toward “teasing the senses and bringing out the playfulness in guests of all ages,” goes its legend. Among the 80 plus installations and exhibits is everything from holograms, stereograms, and optical illusions, to those added extras meant to provoke visitors to learn about “vision, perception, and the human brain and experience firsthand the science of how the eyes can trick the mind.”
As a city steeped in magic as the birthplace of Penn & Teller, to the innovations of Ben Franklin, I’m frankly all for mastering the art of illusion, and being thrilled when I don’t exactly get the trick. That said, don’t try any stupid magic shit on me without telling me or I’ll punch you square in the face. I mean it.
“We are thrilled to be bringing the Museum of Illusions to Philadelphia, which is an ideal city for such an engaging and new museum concept,” said Philadelphia native Rob Cooper, founder of Museum of Illusions parent company, LOL Entertainment in a prepared statement. “Philadelphia’s vibrant and historic scene provides the perfect landscape for the expansion of the museum’s U.S. presence. We are confident that people of all ages will love seeing and experiencing the museum’s unique illusions and exhibits. While our museum certainly is visually engaging and has those photo-worthy moments, it is about so much more. We’ve carefully and thoughtfully designed this museum to provide an educational experience that will leave guests feeling inspired long after they leave. We can’t wait to challenge minds and provide a hands-on, immersive experience for all ages.”
No fooling.
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