Photos | M+ exhibition of environments by women artists to open on Sept. 20, invites visitors to experience art through mind and body

Lifestyle

2025.09.19 12:51

The exhibition "Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now" will open to the public at the M+ Museum on Sept. 20. (DDN)

The exhibition "Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now" will open to the public at the M+ Museum on Sept. 20. Featuring 12 environments by pioneering female artists from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the exhibition includes three newly commissioned installations by Asian female artists.

Environments emerged in the mid-1950s and gained recognition in the 1960s, later becoming known as installation art. While many remarkable environmental art pieces were created by women, art history has predominantly focused on male artists. This exhibition seeks to highlight the extraordinary vision and creativity of female artists, addressing gender imbalances and biases in art history.

One of the exhibition's key themes is the idea that "art is not only experienced with the mind but also through the body." The works prominently feature feminist themes and offer immersive, interactive experiences. Visitors can step into the artworks, engage with them, and explore the diverse sensations evoked by different materials. Through visual, auditory, and tactile experiences, visitors are invited to connect with the artists' intentions and ultimately "become part of the art."

The exhibition showcases a variety of deeply nuanced and thought-provoking works. Among the highlights is "Infinite Memory" (2025), displayed in the Focus Gallery, where iconic red threads weave through the space, encasing three towering red dresses. These dresses symbolize the female body and the indelible memories and experiences it carries. Another standout piece, "To Breathe" (2025), spans the museum's architecture, using translucent diffractive film to wrap windows and skylights. This transforms the building into a shimmering, rainbow-like landscape that shifts with the sunlight, offering visitors moments of surprise as they encounter rainbow reflections throughout the museum.

To Breathe (2025) is presented across the museum, wrapping the windows and skylights with a translucent diffraction film that reflects natural light throughout the day, transforming the museum's architecture into a shifting, iridescent landscape. (DDN)

Infinite Memory (2025) features the artist's signature red threads cascading through the space, enveloping three towering red dresses that evoke the female body and its indelible memories and experiences. (DDN)

Public programs

During the exhibition period, M+ will host a range of public activities. On the opening day, Sept. 20, two lectures will be held, where co-curators Andrea Lissoni and Marina Pugliese will discuss the curatorial process, core concepts, and the significance of the works to contemporary audiences.

From September to December, M+ will organize six "Family Day" events, featuring interactive activities such as body movements, improvisational sound performances, storytelling theaters, and games. These events will include family-friendly programs. Additionally, from October to December, M+ will host monthly "Wellbeing Saturday" sessions, combining yoga with slow-looking practices to encourage deeper appreciation of the art.

Exhibition details:

Dates: Sept. 20, 2025, to Jan. 18, 2026
Venue: West Gallery, Focus Gallery, Atrium, L2, and Main Hall, G
Tickets: Available for purchase on the M+ website
Important note: Visitors must remove their shoes and wear socks when entering the exhibition