Immersive Art Installations: The Art Experience

The Uptown Art Fair team is excited to introduce a captivating new initiative: “The ART Experience: Uptown Minneapolis.” This vibrant event series will showcase immersive art installations that engage the community, along with an ART CONTEST—all hosted at Seven Points Uptown, located at the intersection of Hennepin Ave. and Lake Street.

The ART Experience aims to nurture community involvement and inspire creativity by fostering an open and participatory environment for art lovers. This initiative encourages interaction and dialogue between artists and visitors.

ART INSTALLATIONS ARTISTS & INFORMATION:

Estefanía Alvarez-Zumarraga	The Affirmation Room For Self-Love	The Affirmation Room for self-love: is a white walled room filled with affirmations written on mirrors of all sizes and shapes. Each mirror has text on it reading positive affirmations to encourage self-love. The purpose of interacting with the Affirmation Room is to provide visitors with a sense of security in one self. When visitors are done walking throughout the room they would have read over 25 (depending on the size of the room this number may increase or decrease) positive affirmations that stimulate feelings of safety and self love. Feelings of self love lead to extending that self-love to others and improving the emotional wellbeing of communities as well.
Jerry and Cyrus Carlson	Amanita Mushroom Elf House	Magical elf house environment that pays tribute to the very popular red and white Amanita Mushroom. Against a red and white polka dot backdrop an elf house will nestle in a mushroom forest. Three mushrooms will feature flattened tops and serve a percshes/chairs for visitors to sit and take pictures on.
Rachel Coyne	Beauty Beyond the Beholder’s Eye	Within the exhibit there are two main pieces. The first is a large manipulatable textile piece rather like a snake. Within the tube of textile, large heavy balls (bowling ball or similar) allow the visitor to change and reposition the textile sculpture. The balls moved up and around stools and chairs creates new shapes with the textile piece. This work stimulates the visitor’s sense of tactile awareness and touch. The second (and main) part of the exhibit hangs on the walls, featuring pieces of sculpture that have been veiled/hidden from the eye by large puffy sleeping-bag like forms. Visitors reach through gaps in the puffy covers to feel the sculptures. The sculptures are made with a variety of materials – textile, foam, plastics, fake fur and wood. Sometimes these materials are assembled with harmony in mind and other times they are juxtaposed for maximum contrast. Note – none of the textures use animal fur or feathers and are cruelty free.
Amy Sysaath	The Ethereal Homeland	This space will be an homage to the vibrant and resilient spirit of Southeast Asian communities, with an emphasis on refugee narratives and cultural preservation. I aim to create a dreamlike environment that feels both nostalgic and hopeful. By incorporating traditional art motifs, textures, and colors that represent Southeast Asian heritage, the space will be a reminder of both the journeys undertaken by immigrant families and the strength found in community. Additionally, this installation will highlight the Twin Cities’ unique diversity, specifically celebrating the Southeast Asian immigrant community that enriches our cultural landscape.
Nicole Houff	Break the Mold Barbie	Life-Sized Barbie themed box with strong women messaging “Because girls can be anything and change everything!”