ARTE MUSEUM New York: A Multi-Sensory Journey Through Light, Sound, and Nature

I spent an afternoon at ARTE MUSEUM New York, and honestly, it’s one of the most thoughtfully designed immersive art spaces I’ve been to. The current exhibition, “Eternal Nature,” explores the beauty and rhythm of the natural world through light, sound, and scent — in a way that feels surprisingly meditative rather than overwhelming.

Each room is completely different in both visuals and atmosphere. You move from cascading digital waterfalls to glowing plants that grow as you walk past them. In one space, butterflies come to life with your touch and flowers blossom when you reach out. In another, giant whales glide gracefully around you, pulling you into a shimmering, deep-blue ocean. With so many rooms and corners dedicated to the earth’s wonders and creatures, you end up feeling like a part of this “Eternal Nature” yourself.

The projection quality is stunning — deep color, fluid animation, and just the right balance of sound to make each space feel alive. It’s the kind of environment that slows you down and makes you notice the small details, like how light ripples across a wall or how the sound of running water shifts as you walk.

ARTE MUSEUM was created by d’strict, the Korean art collective known for blending large-scale digital art with sensory design. The New York exhibition also features a special collaboration with the Musée d’Orsay, reinterpreting works by Monet, Van Gogh, and other masters. The final room, called The Garden, celebrates this partnership. It’s less about viewing Impressionist paintings and more about stepping into the worlds that inspired them — full of light, color, and motion. Instead of simply projecting famous artworks, these rooms capture the emotion and texture behind them, which feels both dynamic and quietly inspiring.

Sound plays a big role too. The audio was designed by Young-gyu Jang, a renowned music director whose compositions blend natural sounds with ambient tones. The experience goes even further with fragrances crafted by Marianne Nawrocki Sabatier, who translated themes like ocean waves and forest air into scent. It’s subtle but noticeable — another layer that deepens the immersion.

One of the most memorable parts for me was the interactive sketch area, where visitors are invited to create their own animals — dragons, elephants, birds — on paper. Once you’re done coloring your “spirit guardian,” you scan your drawing, and seconds later it appears on a massive panoramic screen, roaming and flying alongside everyone else’s creatures. Watching adults grin as their sketches come alive was so sweet!

After the exhibit, you exit through ARTE CAFE, a softly lit space where the digital experience continues. I tried their signature Green Apple Nojito — bright neon green, glowing on the café’s interactive tables. It looked incredible (and very photogenic), though a little too sweet for me. Still, it’s a fun way to wrap up the visit, especially if you want a quiet moment before stepping back into the city.

You can expect to spend about an hour to ninety minutes inside, depending on how long you linger in each room. Tickets are around $60, and the experience is suitable for all ages. For those who are photo-sensitive, note that there are plenty of lighting and sound effects. There’s also a fair bit of walking and standing involved, though some rooms have benches, and you’re always welcome to sit on the floor. The venue is wheelchair accessible as well.

Overall, ARTE MUSEUM is immersive art done right. It feels more carefully executed and artistically grounded than most large-scale experiences in the city. Striking a rare balance between spectacle and calm, it’s detailed, multi-sensory, and surprisingly peaceful. If you’re drawn to digital art, nature-inspired installations, or simply want a moment of quiet wonder in Manhattan, it’s absolutely worth the visit.

Get your tickets!

Read next:

VR Experience: Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874

The Best Immersive Art Experiences in NYC this Winter

Immersive Art Experience: Urban Canvas at Unarthodox

VR Experience: Horizon of Khufu

Immersive Art Experience: Mercer Labs

Immersive Art Experience: INTER_

We share works by digital artists as well as digital arts exhibitions, events, and open calls daily on Instagram — follow us for more and subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss new blog posts.

Next
Next

AI HOKUSAI: What happens when Hokusai meets neural networks