Refik Anadol has opened Dataland, a museum of AI arts in Los Angeles, featuring the inaugural exhibition “Machine Dreams: Rainforest” powered by his Large Nature Model. The immersive experience uses visitors' biometric data to personalize visuals, with guests wearing neckbraces and bracelets that monitor their physiological responses. The opening event took place on June 13, 2026, at The Grand LA, with a grand opening party attended by families and art enthusiasts.
Dataland represents a significant shift in contemporary art, moving beyond traditional object-based works toward experiential, data-driven content that competes with mainstream entertainment. Anadol’s project directly responds to critic Jerry Saltz’s 2023 dismissal of his MoMA installation as a “fancy lava lamp,” and positions Dataland as a landmark in the evolution of immersive art. The work challenges conventional definitions of art and signals a new era where art must rival media-saturated experiences to remain relevant.