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Beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder, so is art. And while many museums display artworks that cause the viewer to be unintentionally confused, others prefer it that way. From illusions and amateur creations to downright distasteful, at the following five art museums, the more unique the better.
Somerville, MA: Museum of Bad Art
There is art that makes the viewer question the artist's sanity and then there is the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA), a museum where the art is so unconventional they need an entire building for themselves.
The Blue exhibit leads by example with collections devoted to artists who possibly let their infatuation for the color blue get the best of their creations.
"TILL I WAS BLUE IN THE FACE" is one of the displays that automatically dart out at the onlooker because the expression of the man in the painting looks less than pleased, but it is his blue face and bright orange hair that resembles how many of us feel when we are having an unpleasant day.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Tattoo Museum
In the world of tattooing, the body is the blank canvas and the art is seen as a painful expression of artistic freedom, right?
Tattoo Museum takes body art to new extremes by delving into the social norms, tools used and tribal customs associated with tattoos throughout its three floors.
As you would expect this museum is not for the squeamish, especially with displays of see-through jars containing tattooed human and animal flesh. But if that only inspires you then one of the museum's artists will gladly nourish your memories with a personalized design.
Baltimore, MD: Museum of Visionary Art
Who says you have to go to a fancy art school to become a celebrated artist? If you think you have what it takes to be the next Picasso, then the Museum of Visionary Art is the place to exhibit your creations.
The Baltimore staple is interspersed with permanent galleries and revolving exhibitions created by self-proclaimed artists like Vollis Simpson.
The part-time mechanic and famer created the beloved WhirliGig, a five foot centerpiece that is powered by the wind. At 76, his work is a prized possession of the museum and the city.
Seoul, South Korea: Trickeye Museum
With no limitations of glass confinements and velvet ropes or security preventing visitors from getting too close, visitors at the Trickeye Museum are free to touch take pictures with the art works and even walk on ceilings; especially because their 3D illusions create the feeling of actually being drawn into each piece.
Incorporating "trompe l'oeil," which is a tactic used to "deceive the eye," the artist is able to transform his masterpiece into a mind-bending 3D playground.
Pittsburg, PA: Mattress Factory Art Museum
When artists are expected to live in a museum to keep their creative juices flowing, there's no mistaking that art is taken seriously here. And with life-size creations and spacious rooms devoted to installation art, the Mattress Factory Art Museum should make every aficionado's bucket list.
The museum challenges pre-conceived notions of the nature of art with mind-bending examples like Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Dots Mirror Room. Looking like a funhouse mirror room caught a case of the chicken pox, this exhibit seen in the video below is as engaging as it is head-scratching.
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