Through February 1, the Netherlands Embassy is offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With the “Silent Room,” visitors are able to enter a 40-foot-long horizontal box that cancels all noises and diminishes one’s sense of color. The project was created by Dutch artist Simon Heijdens, in collaboration with the Acoustics Program of the University of Texas.
According to DCist, the "un-Instagrammable" piece was commissioned for SXSW in Austin last year. In an interview with DCist, Asa Hursh, executive director of Art Alliance Austin, said, "So often you just walk up to something, take a picture and say, 'I’ve seen this.' [Silent Room] gives you a minute to reflect rather than just snap a picture and go on to the next thing."
If interested in visiting the Silent Room, the Netherlands Embassy is located at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW and is open to the public on weekdays from 12 p.m to 2 p.m. and on the weekends from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations for the no-cost installation can be made by emailing was-rsvp@minbuza.nl.
• Sit In A Room Devoid Of Sound And Color At The Netherlands Embassy [DCist]
• ‘Silent Room’ to be exhibited at Dutch embassy [Holland]