An immersive art exhibition aimed to give visitors’ brains a “happy boost” will open on 31 March in Brussels. Simply called “HAPPINESS“, the expo focuses on the positive effects art can have on someone’s mental health.
Step inside a world of colour, sound, music and interaction. Explore 360° art installations and discover how art gives your life more colour.
Happiness Expo
The family friendly experience promises 50 minutes of “happy boost for your brain” in over 10 interactive rooms full of media art installations through which visitors can learn more about the impact of art on their happiness.
Some of the installations are created by contemporary Dutch artist Irma de Vries, known by the name of Studio Irma, who creates digital experiential art and installations that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors all over the world.
“Studio Irma is a revolutionary dreamer who engages digital technologies to connect humanity. Through space, colour, sound, movement and you – the active participant, Studio Irma invites you to take a step into a world of connectivism”, reads the exhibition’s description.
For more than 20 years, De Vries, whose work is currently on display at the Moco Museum in Amsterdam and Barcelona, has been experimenting with digital technology, computer animation, video mapping, augmented reality and smart light projection.
Art helps people forget they are mortal beings.
Dr Vincent Lustygier, Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist at CHU Brugmann
According to a recent study by World Health Organization (WHO) art is a strong remedy against a gloomy grey matter. This theory is supported by scientific research that show the correlation between experiencing art and the increase of dopamine, the ‘happiness hormone’. Cultural activities, such as visiting a museum, are therefore not only great fun, but also healthy.
Building on the power of art, since September 2022 psychiatrists in Brussels have been able to prescribe museum tours to people suffering from mental health issues. The city of Brussels developed a pilot project of “museum prescriptions” in collaboration with the Brugmann Hospital, so that patients can obtain a museum prescription if the doctor considers that a cultural visit can have a beneficial effect on their mental health.
Practical information
The exhibition is opened Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm and from 10am to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, at Plein Publiek, next to Brussels’ central train station.
Ticket prices vary, the standard, bough on the spot one for an adult being €16, with various discounts for students, seniors, children and groups.
