Chicagoans are invited to dive into the extraordinary this fall with renowned inventor and artist Michael Murphy’s inaugural showcase, Perceptual Experience. Murphy, a trailblazing artist whose groundbreaking work in Perceptual Art has captivated audiences worldwide, will bring a number of his most celebrated creations together for the first time in an all-new interactive art experience at The Shops at North Bridge starting September 22, 2023. 

Perceptual Experience invites guests to embark on an unforgettable sensory journey where illusion meets art through perception-shifting works that incorporate sight, sound and movement. Tickets become available today at www.theperceptualexperience.com.

Unlike traditional art displays, Perceptual Experience is designed for active participation. Produced by leading location based entertainment providers Immersive Co. with Kilburn Live, Perceptual Experience challenges the boundaries of perception and redefines the way we experience art, with the works themselves transforming into new shapes and scenes when viewed from different sightlines.

With a deep passion for exploring the relationship between art and perception refined at the Art Institute of Chicago, Murphy has long been an internet sensation attracting millions of views to his thought-provoking perceptual art. Together in real life for the first time and complemented by custom audio experiences, Murphy's massive 3D hanging installations invite viewers to see beyond the surface and spark conversation about how we see the works, and the world. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by how a person’s viewpoint can dramatically alter their impression of a piece of artwork,” said Murphy. “This collection was designed to showcase how when using this medium we can reveal new perspectives and previously unseen dimensions that were in some ways hiding in plain sight.”

This one-of-a-kind collection of captivating experiential installations ranges from the playful and visually dazzling “Wow” to the poignant “Polina” inspired by the story of a Ukrainian refugee girl and her family. Also on view will be one of Murphy’s most iconic pieces “Air,” in which an illusion of the Air Jordan One transforms into the iconic Jumpman logo.

Touching across a variety of topical subjects, the interactive installations come alive through Murphy’s meticulous craftsmanship, revealing hidden depths, shapes and dynamic movement that play with the mind and delight the senses. Achieved through a masterful use of optical illusions, geometric precision, and skillful manipulation of colors, two-dimensional artwork appears to shift into something else entirely, inviting viewers to embrace new ways of seeing. 

“Michael Murphy’s work underscores how much the eye of the beholder plays into what we see and understand. Perceptual Experience brings together some of his most popular works with new ones, and we think the result will stun audiences when they come visit,” said Immersive president Bryan Harris.

Beyond its visual impact, Perceptual Experience offers an interactive component that encourages active engagement with the art. Visitors are able to explore the transformative effect of their own viewpoints, actively becoming a part of the creative process.

Curious minds from all walks are invited to experience the mesmerizing world of Perceptual Experience and join the conversation surrounding the power of perception in art and beyond. To learn more, visit www.theperceptualexperience.com.

Perceptual Experience: www.theperceptualexperience.com

Location: The Shops at North Bridge, 540 N. Michigan Ave.

Artist: Michael Murphy

Date: September 14, 2023 – January 28, 2024

Days / Times: Open seven days a week during mall hours

Tickets: Buy for a specific time and date online, starting at $25 for adults, $17 for children. VIP tickets start at $40 and include a commemorative keepsake and anytime entry.

Food and beverage: Themed offerings available at additional cost