NEW YORK — When you think of museums in New York City, the Met, the Guggenheim, the MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum probably come to mind. But did you know there’s a new museum downtown that you’ve never experienced before?
Mercer Labs – the museum of art and technology – offers 15 interactive, multisensory exhibitions on more than 3,300 square meters.
“I always had a dream to create a space that we can change at any time,” said co-founder Roy Nachum. “As an artist, you start with a blank canvas where you can draw whatever you want. Here I wanted to do the same. But with physical spaces, with the mirrors and the reflection, you can create a new world like a new galaxy, a new space.”
Nachum’s journey to create this space began a long time ago, far away from New York.
“It’s magical, you know, and New York welcomed me and I took my work, as you said, out there, starting with that and slowly working my way up,” Nachum said. “And that’s always been my dream, to create something. So my little trip to New York was super magical and super incredible. I love the city. It’s incredible here.”
He says his philosophy is reflected in every area of Mercer Labs.
“I’m from Jerusalem,” he continues. “You know, my grandmother lost her sight. And my grandfather was in a wheelchair. I never saw her any other way. You know, I saw her as normal, in my eyes it was completely normal. As a visual artist who creates and paints, I want my art to be accessible to everyone. For me, everyone is equal, everyone is the same. There is no difference between people, we are all equal and deserve the same opportunities in life.”
From the 360-degree film experiences to the interactive sound installations and exhibits to the Braille scattered throughout, Mercer Labs is more than just a museum. It’s a testament to the power of dreams.
“Everyone deserves to dream as big as they can and fly as fast as they can,” Nachum said.
The museum is open seven days a week.
