House of Mirrors

Overview

When last year's Dark MOFO program dropped, House of Mirrors immediately rocketed to the top of everyone's must-do list. Created by Australian installation artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, it's exactly what it sounds like: a walkthrough space filled with reflective surfaces that will not only strands you in a maze of your own image, but turns your likeness into a kaleidoscope.

Since then, the installation has made its way to Brisbane, Sydney and Bendigo. And now, eager Melburnians will soon get the chance to wander through the disorienting, perception-altering, panic-inducing, optical illusion-based labyrinth for themselves.

From October 5 for Melbourne Festival, the mirror maze will take over the Arts Centre Melbourne for 18 days of reflective roaming, with the modern, minimalist twist on the fairground classic featuring 40 tonnes of steel and 15 tonnes of mirrors — and no added gimmicks, no special effects, no special lighting, no soundtrack or soundscape.

It'll be the first time House of Mirrors has come to Melbourne, and it will be open 4–10pm Monday to Friday and 10am till 10pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will be $10 on the door. We suggest going at sunset so you can see it while the sun's still up and when it's lit up after-dark — or, if you have a pet pooch, heading along between 2pm and 4pm on October 15 as part of their special Dog Day. Yep, art-loving canines love kaleidoscopic installations too.

UPDATE OCTOBER 24, 2017: Melburnians can't get enough of mirror mazes. So the Arts Centre has extended the House of Mirrors opening date till November 19 and opening hours to 10am – 10pm each day.