Inside “Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind” – Singapore’s Neural Odyssey

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Step into the landscape of human consciousness at ArtScience Museum’s captivating exhibition, “Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind.” This extraordinary immersive experience transforms abstract concepts of the brain into tangible, interactive encounters that will leave you questioning your perception of reality while gaining fascinating insights into your own mind.

A Multisensory Exploration of Consciousness

Created by Moment Factory and produced by ArtScience Museum, this family-friendly exhibition blends cutting-edge technology, interactivity, art and neuroscience to explore the boundless creativity and complexity of the human mind. From memory and perception to dreams and consciousness, each installation invites visitors to participate in a journey of self-discovery.

The exhibition runs from 8 March to 6 July 2025, with admission times from 10am to 7pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 10am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Singapore residents can enjoy special pricing of £22 for adults and £18 for children, while tourists pay £27 for adults and £22 for children.

Eight Rooms of Mental Exploration

Your neural adventure begins with a choice between three towering doorways, each promising a unique starting point. This initial decision taps into your subconscious decision-making processes—neuroscience research reveals that our brains begin preparing for decisions several seconds before we become consciously aware of them.

All paths eventually converge, allowing visitors to explore all eight interactive rooms that illuminate different aspects of how our minds work:

Doorway: Three towering entrances beckon, each promising a unique adventure that will engage your mind and trigger your curiosity. This first choice activates your brain’s rapid processing of sensory information, memories and emotions.

Memory Storage: This dazzling installation invites visitors to share personal memories through the exhibition’s web app. Watch as your memories and those of others flow through scaffolding structures within the space, illustrating how memory formation involves acquisition, encoding, consolidation, storage and retrieval.

Open Window: Using AI technology, this installation creates an endless stream of poems and images based on contributed memories. As you look through the window, you’ll witness pieces of your past transform into unique visual and textual landscapes, demonstrating how your brain interprets visual elements and converts them into meaning.

Brainstorm: This collaborative space encourages visitors to throw foam balls at an interactive screen, creating evolving collages that mirror the collaborative nature of creative thinking. The installation demonstrates “interbrain synchronisation”—how our brains align when engaging in cooperative tasks.

Forest of Echoes: Wander through a forest of mirrored pillars, lasers and haze without a destination in mind. This space for reflection and self-discovery mirrors how our brains form and maintain a consistent sense of identity based on past experiences and memories.

Moodscape: This dreamy, fog-filled room uses red, blue and yellow lights to demonstrate how colour perception influences emotions and even physiological responses like respiration, blood pressure and body temperature. Relax on swings as you soak in the moody ambiance and explore the science of perception.

Mirrors of Tomorrow: Functioning as a technology-enabled oracle, this installation features interactive projections resembling “magic mirrors.” Visitors are invited to strike poses and choose from projected symbols, demonstrating how our brains are primed to make connections and generate narrative meaning from various images or symbols.

Grey Matter: The most educational room makes the invisible workings of the mind more visible, showcasing how our 86 billion neurons transmit messages that drive thoughts, memories and emotions. Developed in collaboration with scientists from The Society for Neuroscience Singapore Chapter, it features an artwork by artist Genevieve Chua inspired by neurons.

The Science Behind the Experience

What makes “Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind” particularly fascinating is how it uses technology to illustrate complex neurological concepts. Throughout the exhibition, visitors learn how our brains process sensory information, form memories, interpret visual elements and even synchronise with others during social interactions.

The exhibition reveals that colours can affect physiological responses, that our brains make decisions before we’re consciously aware of them, and that specific brain circuits are involved in creating and understanding stories—fundamental processes in shaping identity and consciousness.

Tips for Your Visit

To make the most of your mind-bending journey, consider these helpful suggestions:

• Take your time: Each room contains multiple interactive elements worth exploring thoroughly. Set aside 45 minutes to an hour for the full experience.
• Visit during off-peak hours: Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, allowing for a more immersive experience.
• Bring a fully charged phone: You’ll want to capture the dazzling visual displays and interactive moments.
• Go with the flow: Don’t overthink your experience—relax and enjoy the journey through your consciousness.
• Consider sensitivities: The exhibition utilises lighting, laser and haze effects. Visitors who are photosensitive or have breathing difficulties may wish to consider their comfort levels before visiting.

Beyond the Exhibition

The mind exploration doesn’t end with the exhibition itself. On weekends in April and May 2025, ArtScience Museum will host “The Human Brain and Its Universe” science fair at their new ArtScience Laboratory. This non-ticketed event will feature talks, hands-on workshops and demonstrations led by brain experts from the Society for Neuroscience and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

A Journey Worth Taking

“Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind” offers a rare opportunity to better understand ourselves through an engaging blend of art, science and technology. By making the abstract workings of our minds concrete and accessible, the exhibition invites visitors of all ages to reflect on the complexity of human consciousness and the marvel that is the brain.

Whether you’re a deep thinker, an art lover, or simply looking for an unusual and thought-provoking outing, this exhibition promises to challenge your perceptions and expand your understanding of the most complex organ in the human body—your own brain. It’s not just an exhibition; it’s a journey into yourself.