Art in Island | Quezon City

Information

Landmark: Art in Island
City: Quezon City
Country: Philippines
Continent: Asia

Art in Island, Quezon City, Philippines, Asia

Art in Island is an interactive art museum located in Cubao, Quezon City. It is recognized as one of the largest 3D trick-art museums in Asia.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a large, former bus terminal building. It features hundreds of oversized 3D paintings and murals that utilize anamorphic techniques to create optical illusions. The walls, floors, and ceilings are covered in art that spans various themes, from classical masterpieces and underwater scenes to fantasy landscapes. Following a major renovation in 2022, the museum integrated "Mixed Media Art," incorporating light projections, immersive installations, and digital art displays alongside its traditional paintings.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: 175 15th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila.

Access: Located near the Araneta City commercial district.

Transport: Accessible via the MRT-3 (Araneta Center-Cubao Station) or LRT-2 (Cubao Station), followed by a short walk or tricycle ride. Numerous jeepneys passing through Aurora Boulevard stop nearby.

Entry: Admission requires a ticket. Visitors must remove their shoes and wear socks (or purchase slipper socks provided by the museum) to preserve the floor paintings.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Opened in December 2014 by a group of Korean artists, the museum was designed to shift the museum experience from "passive viewing" to "active participation." It reflects a modern urban cultural shift toward "Instagrammable" spaces and experiential tourism. Being a fully indoor, climate-controlled facility, it has no significant ecological features but serves as a major indoor recreational site in a dense urban environment.

Key Highlights & Activities

3D Art Zones: Specialized areas where visitors "step into" paintings to become part of the scene (e.g., escaping a shark, crossing a bridge over a chasm).

Mixed Media Exhibits: Immersive light and sound rooms that change dynamically around the visitor.

Photography: The primary activity; every installation is specifically designed to be captured through a camera lens at specific angles.

Museum Cafe: A small on-site cafeteria for refreshments.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility is fully air-conditioned and includes public restrooms, a designated shoe-storage area, and a souvenir shop. The layout is a one-way path that guides visitors through all galleries. 5G cellular coverage is excellent.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday (11:00–19:30) and Saturday to Sunday (11:00–20:30); it is closed on Mondays. Visiting on weekdays is highly recommended to avoid long queues at popular photo spots. Arriving at opening time provides the best opportunity for unobstructed photos.

Facts & Legends

The name "Art in Island" refers to the concept of the museum being an "island" where art surrounds the visitor completely. It was one of the first major attractions in the Philippines to explicitly encourage visitors to touch and interact with every exhibit.