Mercer Labs’ Dazzling New Exhibit Is Worth the Trip Downtown

Upper West Siders know great art. But every now and then, something comes along that shakes up the scene in the best possible way—and it’s happening downtown.

Mercer Labs, the Museum of Art and Technology, is New York-born, New York-owned, and completely reimagining what a museum can be. Just 14 months since opening, this boundary-pushing cultural space in the Financial District is earning its place on every serious art lover’s radar—and the latest exhibition is reason enough to hop on the subway.

Opening April 25, “Maestros and the Machines” is a mind-expanding journey through time and technology. Spanning 15 immersive new exhibitions across Mercer Labs’ 36,000 square feet, the show reinterprets the works of legendary artists—think Da Vinci, Mozart, Hokusai—through today’s digital tools. What might they have created if they had access to projection mapping, 4D sound, and LED pixel environments? Here, that question comes vividly, viscerally to life.

You’ll step into towering spaces wrapped in floor-to-ceiling projections, powered by 27 synchronized projectors. In the 4D sound room—one of only a few like it in the world—you’ll lie back and let waves of bass, subwoofers, and dimensional sound shift your perception. And don’t miss the Dragon Room, a dazzling installation featuring over 500,000 LED pixels forming ever-changing images in an infinity-mirrored space that feels like stepping into a dream.

“This isn’t just a playground for selfies,” says the Mercer Labs team. “We’ve got fun, we’ve got interactivity—but we’re also a place for deep, transformative experiences. We’re helping people reimagine what art is, what a museum experience can be.”

Visitors often leave visibly moved. There’s a palpable shift—from curiosity to awe—as they walk from one stunning installation to the next. Mercer Labs is immersive in the truest sense: it holds your attention completely, from the moment you walk in to the moment you step back onto the city street.

And getting there is easy. Located on Dey Street, Mercer Labs is just steps from the Perelman Performing Arts Center, Nobu, Eataly, and the Oculus’ outdoor beer garden. Make a day of it—grab a bite, catch a show, and immerse yourself in an art experience unlike anything else in the city.

So yes, Upper West Siders—this is absolutely worth the trip. Mercer Labs is changing the conversation about art, technology, and creativity in New York. Come see why people are calling it a groundbreaking addition to the city’s art scene.

“Maestros and the Machines” opens April 25. Tickets and info at mercerlabs.com.

Spend a day on Dey. You won’t regret it.