This past weekend, all Bucknell students in the Asia Pacific program took a trip out to Melbourne as part of our program’s itinerary. Landing late Friday night, we had all of Saturday and Sunday, as our flight on Sunday was also at night, to explore the city and do as we please. A group of buddies and I explored around the city on Saturday through a program-sponsored tour, and continued to travel around the city afterwards, hopping into many stores, restaurants and alleyways. On Sunday, given that we had most of the day to explore, the same group of buddies who I was with on Saturday and I decided to venture to the ACMI museum, a Melbourne museum with showcases digital media and art. From the very beginning of our exhibition tour, I was completely in awe at the pieces shown. Some were enticing due to the color scheme they were exerting, while others were enticing due to the pure creativity behind them, which I had a hard time comprehending how they were made. Specifically, many of the pieces were interactive, such as an exhibition where if you held out your hand underneath a scope, a video would play on the palm of your hand, as well as an array of movie clips that you should physically shuffle to create an original and personal sequence. This experience brought out the beauties and the complexity that goes behind digital technology and art, something that I have not given enough appreciation towards in my life. I could not recommend visiting the ACMI museum in Melbourne enough, it was an experience that I will always remember.
