The debut of the electronic art installation "Rainforest" in Qingdao has garnered significant attention in the art world.

The art installation "Rain Room," created by the London-based RI Creative Team, captivated audiences when it was exhibited at London's Barbican Centre and the Museum of Modern Art in the United States. In both London and New York, people went wild for it—some even waited in line for up to 9 hours despite the scorching heat. At the Museum of Modern Art, tickets were priced as high as $25, with no discounts even for members, yet audience enthusiasm remained undiminished.

No wonder the world-renowned "Polka Dot Queen" and Japanese super art icon Yayoi Kusama, whose installation "The Obliteration Room" was exhibited in the U.S., was hailed by American media not only with high praise but also with the remark that it could be compared to the "Rain Room" shown at the Museum of Modern Art in 2013.

Now, the "Rainforest" installation on display at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is neither a copy of the foreign "Rain Room" nor does it use identical technology. It is an entirely domestically developed, high-end multimedia electronic art and high-tech installation piece, meticulously crafted by a top-tier Chinese team. By combining control systems with 3D film effects, and integrating lighting, sound, and cinematic set design, it offers participants a dreamlike sensory experience. Compared to the "Rain Room," while "Rainforest" shares a similar sensation of light rain, the overall experience is entirely different—"Rainforest" far exceeds the "Rain Room" in terms of experiential depth, immersion, and scene transitions.

When Yayoi Kusama’s installation "The Obliteration Room" was exhibited in the U.S., some visitors didn’t quite achieve the feeling of having “arrived in heaven,” or at least not strongly so. This shows that experiencing a high-caliber installation piece properly is key to grasping its artistic essence and beauty. The same applies to experiencing the electronic art installation "Rainforest"—knowing how to best engage with it is equally important.

The creators of the "Rainforest" installation have kept their “tricks” strictly confidential, not revealing the mechanics behind "Rainforest" to participants. There are also many prohibited items: no dark clothing, no shiny or reflective materials, no raincoat-like fabrics, and no stiletto heels—because sensors adjust the size of the dry area around your body based on the pressure you apply to the ground as you move.

When entering the "Rainforest" experience, you can choose to go either “completely wild” or “utterly elegant.” The rain zone of the "Rainforest" installation in Qingdao only allows six participants at a time. In an area about the size of a standard basketball court, rain falls from the ceiling above. As you enter, spotlights shine on you, illuminating every raindrop. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground resembles a thunderous symphony, giving you the illusion that you might get wet in the downpour—but once you’re inside, you’ll find that nothing touches you.

If you want to go “completely wild,” you can jump and celebrate in the “rain.” However, if you suddenly start dancing through the rain, the computer may not anticipate your next move, and you might end up getting wet. If you walk slowly, the sensors have minimal delay, and your movements are easily tracked—ensuring you stay completely dry. Strolling slowly through "Rainforest," listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the ground, watching the 3D video imagery on your left, and enjoying the immersive, layered soundscape will naturally relax your mind, bringing a sense of ease and relieving any stress or frustration.