Artist Wes Sam-Bruce's installation "The Wonder Sound" at the New Children's Museum is part tree house and part magical play land with its own language and rules.
If you want to climb, you can climb. If you want to rest in a quiet space, you'll find that, too. And if you decide to conquer your fears and crawl through small, dark tunnels, you'll be rewarded with surprising beauty.
"It’s supposed to be transportive," Sam-Bruce said. "So you are now in this place that feels like it could be a real culture from somewhere, it feels as if you’re in this blend between a factual and a fictional place."
The installation was inspired both by Sam-Bruce's outdoor adventures growing up in Northern California and by listening to stories from San Diego children and parents.
Over the last several years, the artist has worked with families in community centers throughout the South Bay and South San Diego as well as at Sudanese and LGBT centers. Children told him their hopes and fears, their moments of joy and sadness.
Once inside, the space has something for all different kinds of personalities and moods. Adventurous types will find a climbing area, complete with a rope maze.
More reserved personalities will find many spaces to relax, rest, and explore the words and pictures surrounding them.
"Be yourself. Be whole. I hope that you find mystery and I hope that you find poetry," Sam-Bruce said just before a group of children ran in, ready to experience and make memories of their own.
"The Wonder Sound" opens June 25 and will be up at the museum indefinitely.
