Random International’s immersive environment Rain Room (2012), a major component of the MoMA PS1 exhibition EXPO 1: New York, is presented in the lot directly adjacent to The Museum of Modern Art. A field of falling water that pauses wherever a human body is detected, Rain Room offers visitors the experience of controlling the rain. Known for their distinctive approach to contemporary digital practice, Random International’s experimental projects come alive through audience interaction—and Rain Room is their largest and most ambitious to date. The work invites visitors to explore the roles that science, technology, and human ingenuity can play in stabilizing our environment. Using digital technology, Rain Room creates a carefully choreographed downpour, simultaneously encouraging people to become performers on an unexpected stage and creating an intimate atmosphere of contemplation.
Rain Room is open daily during regular Museum hours. Note: Admittance to the queue will end once it reaches capacity, prior to Museum closing.
The entrance to Rain Room is on West 54 Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Same-day MoMA admission, EXPO 1 admission, or a MoMA membership card is required for entry. An EXPO 1 admission ticket may be applied toward the price of a Museum admission ticket or MoMA Membership through July 28.
MoMA members and their guests enjoy priority access to Rain Room at all times, as well as an exclusive early member viewing hour, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily throughout the run of the installation. (Not a MoMA member? Join now.) Due to popular demand, the Member Early Hour will be extended. Starting on Saturday, July 20 the early hours will be 8:00–10:30 a.m. through July 28.
Corporate Card holders and their guests enjoy priority access to Rain Room at all times. However, priority access to this installation does not extend to Corporate Member employees (those holding only an employee ID).
In order for visitors to enjoy the sensory experience of Rain Room, capacity is limited to 10 people at a time. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis and wait times are expected to be significant. Entry is not guaranteed. Please note that the queue for Rain Room is outside, so plan your visit accordingly.
In response to extremely high demand, the Museum has instituted a viewing-only queue. Visitors can now move through the installation from the side, without walking directly below the rain area, and experience the installation at very close range with minimal wait times.
Please keep the following information in mind as you plan your visit.
— Visitors should be aware that this is a dark installation featuring falling water. It is possible that you may get slightly wet.
— In order for the technology to work most effectively, visitors are discouraged from wearing dark, shiny, reflective fabrics, fabrics made of raincoat material, or skinny high heels.
— Children must be closely supervised at all times and visitors should proceed slowly through the installation.
— Rain Room is subject to close for brief periods during the day if maintenance is required.
— Photography is encouraged in Rain Room. Post your photos or videos on Twitter, Instagram, and Flickr with the hashtag #RainRoom, and they will appear in a live stream at MoMAPS1.org/expo1.
The presentation of Rain Room at The Museum of Modern Art is the U.S. premiere of this monumental environment. The piece debuted at Barbican Centre, London, in October 2012. For more details, please visit the EXPO 1: New York website.
