*the unusual "Illusionaires" Immersive Experience - at Canary Wharf-London E14

As London Shoes blogs go – this is probably one of the more shorter ones in terms of content – but because of its unusual and unique quirkiness, I felt it warranted being captured by Shoes.

Over the past year or so, the emergence of pop-up type ‘Immersive Experience’ exhibitions have appeared throughout London – and have become quite popular.

The works of legendary artists such as Van Gough/Monet have been presented in this ‘immersive’ format – and my London Shoes have been fortunate to visit these exhibitions – different and thoroughly enjoyable they were too.

Anyway – a few weeks back my London Shoes – accompanied by ‘Mrs Shoes’ (a very rare occurrence – apparently I walk too fast!!) legged it over to my old work location ‘Canary Wharf’ for the purpose of checking out a new immersive experience entitled “ILLUSIONAIRES” – that had popped-up in Crossrail Place inside the new Canary Wharf – Elizabeth Line tube station.

I have to admit, I wasn’t too sure whether this particular type of exhibition would ‘float-my-boat’ as, at the back of my mind I was concerned that it just may be a bit of band wagon’ing by its organisers, to cash in on a current ‘trend’.

However – I was wrong – I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘experience’ – very different from what I was expecting.

‘Illusionaires’ is of a 6 room digital ‘art hub’ experience – that is produced from a fusion of light/sound/motion – combining reality and illusion that portrays humanity & spirituality.

It is described as a sea of senses and vivid imagery, where time stops and is replaced by an expanse of space unfolds with visual sensations!!!…….Well – it certainly does something like that when you find yourself in the middle of it all.

Me (& Mrs Shoes) were extremely fortunate to be the only ones viewing the 6 rooms during our allocated time slot – even though the images you will see below, give the appearance that there are loads of others around – I can assure you, it was only just us two!!

So – the ‘Illusionaires’ immersive experience at Canary Wharf is certainly very different – and very ‘out-there’ in a quirky sort of way – very much like attending a Hawkwind gig back in the early 1970’s!!! Definitely worth experiencing in my opinion.

Anyway – because my London Shoes were up in Canary Wharf – Mrs Shoes and I popped into the “Ledger Building” pub for lunch and a couple of refreshing ‘cheeky’ ones.

The Ledger is a ‘Spoons’ pub and by far the cheapest rub-a-dub in the Canary Wharf area.

This magnificent 1804 built single storey Grade I Listed building, was once the hub of all the import/export admin for West India Dock – and it used to be my ‘work local’ during the 14yrs I worked up there – so it was good to pop me head around the door to make sure all was well.

Hope the photos help bring this little story to life

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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this blog article

The main Canary Wharf Jubilee tube line entry/exit – just 5mins from the ‘Illusionaires’ immersive exhibition

The ever changing Canary Wharf skyline – it has certainly changed in the 7yrs since I worked there.

Over the past year or so, the emergence of pop-up type ‘Immersive Experience’ exhibitions have appeared throughout London – and have become quite popular.

A couple of months ago a new immersive experience entitled “ILLUSIONAIRES” – popped-up in Crossrail Place inside the new Canary Wharf – Elizabeth Line tube station.

A story board of the 6 immersive experience rooms of the ‘Illusionaires’ exhibition at Canary Wharf