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It’s a regular week and you are looking for something creative to do, something completely different that would give you adventure and peace. The Des Moines scene always has something new to see. Recently, there was an art exhibit at the Cowles Commons called “Luminarium Albesila.”

This exhibit is an inflatable, walk-in sculpture that is a combination of light, color and sound. It is a maze of 27 egg shaped domes and a centerpiece inspired by the ‘Spiral of Life,’ which is an ancient symbol. The first Luminarium that started the company inspired the design of the one that was exhibited in Des Moines. Allen Parkinson, who had a love for light and color, created the first Luminarium 25 years ago. The Luminarium was previously exhibited in multiple locations prior to Des Moines such as Switzerland, Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy and New Zealand.

The Luminarium was brought in by the Des Moines Performing Arts Center. The Director of Programming, Eric Olmscheid, first discovered it after he saw it in Minnesota and Texas. After experiencing it himself, he knew the great success it would find in Des Moines.

“I knew the magic and wonder of the Luminarium,” Olmscheid said. “As the Des Moines Performing Arts we were looking for something that would bring the community together. I knew right after that we had to try and book it here while it was in the U.S.”

Volunteers from around the area and three traveling agents help lead and work the exhibit as it travels around the nation.

Mathew Warren is one of the traveling managers who has had the opportunity to travel with the exhibit all over the world.

“It’s amazing, I’m very lucky to have my job and I know that,” Warren said. “It’s a great thing to be able to travel around the world with something that I love to see every day and take great interest in.”

I decided to take a look at this exhibit and experience it for myself. Upon arrival, I was able to see how big it was from the outside. The entrance had an area to sit down and remove your shoes. The first dome I walked into was an air locked dome that would clear the sound and air from the outside. Proceeding forward, I was able to see the first bright colors of the dome and hear the ambient background music. The outside world had completely been tuned out as soon as I walked in another 20 feet.

Going from dome to dome, I was able to see the primary colors shine bright from the outside light. Each dome had four smaller domes connected. The smaller domes were big enough to sit down and relax. The halls connecting the primary color domes were grey but still had color because of the reflection of the others.

When the music changed from one ambient song to another, I couldn’t even hear the transition. It gave me a chill down my back and a sense of being completely away from the world. It seemed as if I was stuck in my head with no thoughts.

I saw children playing and adults resting along the way to the main dome. The main dome ceiling had a design that was in the shape of a circle with multiple bright colors. It was the biggest overall dome of the exhibit where multiple groups and families rested as well.

As I was nearing the end, there was another dome that had been shaped into a bright yellow tree. The tree room had multiple places to sit and relax. I sat and observed the tree and the people in complete adoration of it. It was a different feel than the whole exhibit itself. Other domes were open and had plenty of space, while this one had a structure in the middle.

When I got to the end of the exhibit, my expectations were beyond what I thought at the beginning. I was impressed by the colors and designs it portrayed. I also enjoyed the ambient music in the background that helped give the feeling of being lost in time and free of any stress.

Overall the exhibit was an awesome experience. It was a getaway for anyone needing it. The Luminarium is one example of an exhibit that has been brought to the Des Moines area by the Performing Arts Center. Exhibits like this one are brought often and are always an attraction to Des Moines and surrounding areas. Many exhibits are scheduled for this upcoming spring and the company Architects of Air plan to be back next year with a new structure.