This whimsical art exhibit has something for all ages
The Cat in the Hat balances various objects while talking to guests. (CanCultureAnnemarie Cutruzzola)
By Annemarie Cutruzzola
If you’re looking for some childhood nostalgia, you can get lost in the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss and his beloved characters at this local interactive art installation.
The Dr. Seuss Experience made its world premiere on Oct. 26 when it opened just outside of Toronto. It is the first stop on the exhibit’s tour of several North American cities.
The exterior of the Dr. Seuss Experience building features some of the author’s well-known characters. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
Colourful lamppost banners with the famed author’s most iconic characters lined the streets leading to the Dr. Seuss Experience, located across the road from the Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.
Among others, The Grinch, The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 towered over the entrance of the building and drew visitors inside to the equally as colourful exhibit.
The majority of the 15,000 square foot space was taken up with a mesmerizing balloon maze inspired by Oh the Places You’ll Go. Visitors were able to explore the maze to find words to fill in the blanks of a famous quote from the book. Surrounding the maze were eight rooms, each inspired by a different Dr. Seuss book.
The colourful maze of suspended balloons is one of the exhibit’s main attractions. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
When the exhibit was announced, Mark Manuel, the founder and CEO of Kilburn, the company behind the exhibit, told AP that their aim is to promote both literacy and the prosocial messages of Dr. Seuss books.
This is most evident in the Lorax exhibit, which Manuel said “teaches environmental stewardship”. Upon entering the room, you’re given a fake coin. Then you’re faced with a difficult decision. If you donate your coin you can happily wander into a large room full of Truffula trees and swings. If you decide to keep your coin, you’re led into a small, dimly lit room where all the trees had been cut down. After a brief lecture about the dangers of greed and a timely reminder about the importance of protecting trees, you can give up your coin and join the others in the multi-coloured, mirrored room that resembles the forests pictured in The Lorax.
Mirrored walls in The Lorax room make the forest of colourful Truffula trees and swings look infinite. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
Some exhibits were highly interactive and geared towards children, while others appealed to adults as well.
The large bins in the red-and-blue Cat in the Hat themed room spew out objects for guests to collect and reorganize. Attendees can ride a carousel at the Circus McGurkus or help Herbie Hart reassemble his Throm-dim-bu-lator. Those with endless curiosity can search for hidden critters such as a nink in the sink or a findow in the window while exploring the room inspired by There’s a Wocket in my Pocket.
A “findow in the window” is one of many hidden creatures in the There’s a Wocket in my Pocket room. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
Other rooms look more like a traditional art exhibit and are definitely photo-worthy. The experience caters to those hoping to take Instagrammable photos by offering limited tickets for “Gram Hours.” The ticket website describes this as an “intimate, reserved journey” through the exhibit.
One of the most tranquil rooms, entitled Horton Hears a Who, features a field of fluffy pink clovers bathed in soft lighting. Mirrored walls in the Sneetches and Other Stories room, the most popular exhibit, create an illusion of infinite Sneetches in every direction. The unique design of each creature in this room is said to encourage tolerance and individuality, according to Manuel.
The waist-high pink clover field is a popular spot for selfies in the exhibit. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
As the experience tours from city to city, it will feature different exhibits based on other Dr. Seuss books.
Visitors in Toronto get to experience The Grinch Who Stole Christmas room. Upon entering the room filled with glittering lights, guests are given toy fishing rods and are split into two teams. Whichever team catches the most presents wins — unless the Grinch is around and decides to be unfair.
The room is open to the public during the festive season along with the rest of the exhibits and is a perfect way to add festive cheer for those planning to go over the holidays.
Outside the exhibit, guests can line up to take pictures with Thing 1 and Thing 2 or Cat in the Hat. There’s a gift shop selling Dr. Seuss books and all the memorabilia you can think of and a small collection of Dr. Seuss related artwork for sale.
Dr. Seuss-inspired mugs, figurines, stuffed animals and more are sold in the gift shop outside the exhibit. (CanCulture/Annemarie Cutruzzola)
Outside the room of dead trees in the Lorax exhibit, an older man joked with an employee that he’d rather stay in there because of the peace and quiet. There were surprised smiles and laughter as people took selfies with the Cat in the Hat and realized it could talk. Joyful children dragged their parents around the balloon maze without a care in the world.
The Dr. Seuss Experience will stay in Toronto until January 5, 2020. Once you enter, there is no time limit, so waiting for entry into a busier exhibit may take a fair bit of time. The crowds can be sizeable depending on the time, but among the chaos, it’s likely that you will encounter some moments of levity.
The atmosphere exudes happiness, wholesome cheer, and a hint of nostalgia. By the time you exit the Dr. Seuss experience, it’s safe to say your heart will grow at least a couple of sizes.