"Port of Reflections" by Leandro Erlich

"Port of Reflections" by Leandro Erlich

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, South Korea, has a beautiful display of one of Leandro Erlich's many spontaneous pieces of art. The name of the piece is “Port of Reflections”. It was displayed in South Korea in September 2015. However, Erlich created the art display in 2014. I was able to encounter this exhibit using the Google Arts and Culture online tour. The site led me to many wonderful art pieces, and I was fortunate to have stumbled upon Leandro Erlich’s piece while touring the basement. The “Port of Reflections” is an optical illusion art exhibit consisting of multiple floating boats, a port side room, and a black carpeted room underneath.

From first glance the boats may look like they are in a pool of water, but they are not. The boats are actually suspended in the air using a support beam and the middle one using a pole to balance them on. Not only do the boats appear to float, but they are so delicately crafted they look like they are rippling in the “water”, including the writing on the boats themselves. Which furthers the optical illusion the Erlich has achieved. Another fascinating detail the boats have are on the underside, not only do the boats have seats and ores on the top, they also have seats and ores on the bottom complete with the same ripping effect on the outside and the port the boats are in.

The port is also an impressive asset to this exhibit. The contrast between the space under the boats and the dock helps aid in the illusion, it also helps give off the feeling that you are actually at a harbor. The most interesting part of the port are the lights and the fence. Not only do the lights appear lit, but the fence and the lights all reflect and warp in the “water”. However, the best part about the “Port of Reflections” is the room below.

Underneath the boat is a room that people may enter and observe what whimsical illusion lies there. The room is covered in black carpet to make it look like water from above. In other words, the perspective from under the boats makes it seem like you are underwater and looking up, instead of above the water and looking down. In addition, staring at the bending of the boats and the light from the windows further the experience of being under water. However, this perspective may also look like the boats are floating over your head, adding to the feeling of childlike wonder.

With the negative space below and the positive space above helping to harmonize the art piece as a whole. The “Port of Reflections” is not only an astounding optical illusion made by Leandro Erlich, but it is a piece of elegance and wonder. The attention to detail from each warping piece, to the writing on boats, and even the inside of the boats, this display of art is a monumental creation that the world should discover.

Sources

1. Leandro Erlich’s Boats Floats on Air In Seoul-https://aboutartanddesign.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/leandro-erlichs-boats-floats-on-air-in-seoul/

2. Artworks of Leandro Erlich #1 Port of Reflections & The Cloud- https://www.mori.art.museum/en/news/2018/02/972/

3. Google Arts and Culture - National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea Basement- https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/national-museum-of-modern-and-contemporary-art-korea-seoul-basement/ewH_Z97YI7W8Cw?sv_lng=126.9811049171606&sv_lat=37.57918747376196&sv_h=31&sv_p=-13.299999999999997&sv_pid=l9RFgwxwlbx7s6o6XFLk4g&sv_z=1

4. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-museum-of-modern-and-contemporary-art-korea