I’ve lived in Aarhus for several years, and frequently return for work. Despite that, I had never actually visited the ARoS Museum. Funny, right? Well, that finally changed recently when I found both the time and an exhibition that intrigued me – “Metronome” by Sarah Sze. The concept, revolving around our digitalized world and its fragility, piqued my interest. So, I asked my dearest, T, if she wanted to join me, and she was all in!
We chose last tuesday, right after work to head over to ARoS. Unfortunately, the day came with a heavy downpour – and I mean, really heavy. We were soaked by the time we made it to the museum, but a hot cup of cocoa from the café set everything right. I’m telling you, hot chocolate can fix just about anything on a gloomy day!
The Anticipation: “Metronome” by Sarah Sze
Going in, I had high hopes for Metronome. I had read about Sarah Sze’s approach, especially her focus on the overload of information in our increasingly digital world and how that affects our perception. It seemed like something that would speak directly to today’s fast-paced, tech-driven society.
▪️The Reality: A Bit of a Letdown
Sadly, I was left underwhelmed. For an exhibition that promised to explore the complexities of digital overload, Metronome felt surprisingly…flat. There was nothing particularly striking or thought-provoking, at least for me. I kept waiting for that “wow” moment, but it never came. I really wanted it to connect or challenge me in some way, but it just didn’t hit the mark.
The Rest of the Museum: Not Much Better
After Metronome, we wandered through the rest of the museum, hoping to find something else to catch our eye. But it was one of those days where nothing quite clicked. The other current and permanent exhibitions didn’t do much for me either.
By this point, I was feeling pretty disappointed. I think my expectations might have been too high, but I couldn’t help feeling like ARoS just wasn’t living up to the hype that day.
The Silver Lining: The Rainbow Panorama
The saving grace of the visit, though, was ARoS’ famous Rainbow Panorama. Perched on top of the museum, the 360-degree, colorful view of Aarhus through the rainbow-tinted glass was truly stunning, even on a rainy day. Walking through the circular corridor with the city beneath your feet felt almost magical—a much-needed bright spot in an otherwise lackluster visit.
The view and atmosphere here were undeniably beautiful, and it gave me a moment to pause and appreciate the city from a whole new perspective.
A Really Supbar Stop
In the end, my first visit to ARoS Museum was a mixed experience. The Metronome exhibition didn’t live up to my expectations, and the rest of the museum didn’t leave a lasting impression either. But at least I got to check it off my list, and the Rainbow Panorama was as breathtaking as everyone says. Plus, having T along made the whole day better, even if the art didn’t quite do it for me.
Would I go back? Maybe, if there’s another exhibition that really grabs my attention. But next time, I’ll make sure the weather’s a bit nicer! 🤭
