This fall, Chris Wink, co-founder of Blue Man Group, will bring “Wink World: Portals To The Infinite” to AREA15, the experiential entertainment complex opening in Las Vegas September 2020. The development marks Wink’s most ambitious art and entertainment project since departing Blue Man Group in 2017. It will draw upon Wink’s well-honed skills as an experience designer, a music composer, and overall purveyor of high-impact visual entertainment.
Wink designed the 1,500-square-foot experience to take the entertaining fusion of whimsy, color, art, technology and music he pioneered with Blue Man Group to the next level. Visitors to Wink World will walk through six infinity-mirror rooms, each one featuring a stunning production number that draws upon Wink’s love of black light and other dynamic stage effects that evoke “life force” and inspire wonder. Wink’s penchant for transforming everyday objects into art or entertainment will be on display as well, as ceiling fans become transformed into kinetic art and children’s toys like Slinkies and Hoberman Spheres become elevated into a chorus line of dancers and entertainers.
Described by Wink as “equal parts psychedelic art house and carnival funhouse,” Wink World will explore the concept of infinity in a variety of conceptual and aesthetic ways. On a technical level, it charts new territory as it attempts to solve a standard problem with infinity mirrors: they always promise a glimpse into the infinite and yet the viewer always stands in the way. Wink purposely designed rooms enabling guests to “get out of their own way,” eliminating the viewer’s reflection from the equation, thereby offering a less obstructed view of infinity.
“I’ve always been a fan of infinity illusion boxes and infinity rooms, such as those by the artist Yayoi Kusama,” says Wink. “In the last few years, I’ve become obsessed with the idea of adding motion, music, and whimsy to this already aesthetically arresting format. With Wink World, I’m aspiring to introduce visitors to a fantastical world full of vivid color, surprising changes of state, and surreal, mind-bending imagery that I hope will be more than just entertaining; I also hope it will be inspiring, and perhaps even a bit mind-expanding.”
Wink employed the talents of psychedelic artist Alex Aliume, a rising star in the art scene, to bring this first installment of Wink World to life. Aliume created a custom painting for the entrance, featuring one eye that is open, looking out at the world, and another closed one, looking within. Meanwhile, one hand is raised in reverence, while the other gives the finger out of rebellious defiance—and to introduce a dose of humor. This combination of elements illustrates the sublime, yet playful sensibility embodied in all of Wink’s work. Fans of Aliume’s popular black light paintings will be in for a visual treat when they enter the sixth and final room, which will contain 30 stunning new Aliume kinetic artworks.
Wink World’s fall 2020 opening date will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about Wink World and to inquire about purchasing tickets, follow on Facebook and Instagram @WinkWorldOfficial.
