I’m in one of the driest parts of the world and I’m walking into a downpour with no umbrella or raincoat and I’m not getting wet.
Welcome to the Rain Room, an art installation that is being exhibited at the Sharjah Art Foundation in the UAE. The installation is a collaborative effort by a studio in London and has been viewed around the world.
The Rain Room itself is dark and cavernous and the sound of rain is loud but the overall effect is oddly peaceful. Teeny flecks of water bounce around you but as you navigate your way through the rain, your movement is detected by motion sensors that keep the radius around your body, dry. It feels almost miraculous to have the rain part around you.
In a sense, everyone who walks through the installation becomes a part of it, as this interactive piece has been designed for people to be the performers on this very unique stage. The Rain Room is both a soothing echo chamber and technical marvel, thank you Sharjah Art Foundation for the tour.
Georgina Clark 