ARTBNB: SLEEP INSIDE A DREAM AT FONDATION BEYELER’S SUMMER SHOW
Forget Airbnb – this is Artbnb! In Basel, Switzerland, tourists can now snooze inside an art exhibit, thanks to the avant-garde Summer Show taking over the Fondation Beyeler museum. But hurry up, cultured catnappers, because the exhibit closes on 11 August.
Dream Hotel Room 1
“Dream Hotel Room 1: Dreaming of Flying with Flying Fly Agarics (2024) by Carsten Höller and Adam Haar is an otherworldly dive into ‘Dream Engineering.’ Imagine this: a surreal bed, trippy projections, and a mission to engineer lucid dreams. Spinning toadstools hover above your bed, bathed in fast-moving red light at a 700 nm wavelength and 4 Hz frequency – the perfect cocktail for inducing vivid, mind-bending dreams.
Here’s the kicker: once you drift into slumber, the bed starts rocking gently, syncing with the flying toadstools to make you feel like you’re soaring. Meanwhile, phrases like ‘flying with flying fly agarics’ pulse around you, guiding your subconscious into a flight of fancy. After waking, you’re encouraged to spill the details of your dream, contributing to the ongoing dream experiment.
Book Your Nap
From 10am to 6pm daily, snag a 60-minute slot for this dreamy experience. The nap is included in your Fondation Beyeler entry ticket (£22 regular, under 25s free). Slots are assigned on the day at the museum, so arrive early to secure your spot.
Dream Hotel Room 1: The Neuroscience Behind It
Carsten Höller and Adam Haar’s installation isn’t just art – it’s cutting-edge science. Their work taps into the latest neuroscience of dreaming, transforming the gallery into a playground for the unconscious mind. This piece combines sound, sight, and physical sensations to guide you into a lucid dream state.
The Method:
When you slip into the custom-designed bed, you’ll witness the mesmerizing fly agaric mushroom spinning under a fast-moving red light, a visual trigger proven to kickstart lucid dreams. As you fall into deep sleep, the bed rocks in sync with the mushroom’s flight path, enhancing the sensation of flying. Acoustic stimuli, like the phrase ‘flying with flying fly agarics,’ play to reinforce the dream theme. This technique, known as Targeted Dream Incubation, leverages sound to plant specific themes into your dreams during half-awake states, where reality and imagination blur.
The Impact:
This art piece isn’t just about cool visuals – it’s about transforming your dream world. Flying dreams are linked to better dream recall, increased lucidity, and even heightened spiritual awareness. The experience aims to leave you feeling empowered and inspired.
Fondation Beyeler Accommodation Package
Not keen on sleeping in an art exhibit? Basel has you covered with the Fondation Beyeler package. This includes museum admission, an overnight stay in your chosen accommodation, and a BaselCard. Enjoy free public transport, Wi-Fi hotspots, and discounts on cultural activities.
Travel Tips:
Accommodation Prices: Start at £57 per night.
Travel: Fast trains from London to Basel via Paris take 5h55m and start at £191.
For more info on Basel’s art experiences, visit www.basel.com.
