Museums: Fake museums offer expensive entertainment without real substance

A Finnish columnist has criticized immersive art exhibitions, labeling them "fake museums" that provide costly entertainment devoid of genuine content. The author argues that when the educational and cultural missions of museums are removed, only a superficial, cheaply produced layer of entertainment remains.

During a summer vacation, the writer felt cheated by an exhibition at Turku's Logomo. Advertised as a novel art experience bringing works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Dalí to life through "projection, sound, and spatial technology," the reality was far less impressive. The exhibition involved projecting videos of famous paintings onto walls in a large hall.

While some projections, like a depiction of "Starry Night" moments before its creation, were deemed pleasant, other interpretations were more jarring. The author found a 3D model of the figure from Munch's "The Scream" to be reminiscent of a low-budget horror film.

This critique highlights a growing concern about the commercialization of art experiences, where technological spectacle may overshadow artistic merit and educational value. The columnist's experience suggests that these "immersive" exhibitions, while popular, may ultimately offer a hollow imitation of engaging with art.