You may be wondering why the Barbican Centre is busier than ever before… this innovative arts venue always presents intriguing and original exhibitions but never before have the public been so fascinated.

Last Saturday afternoon I was one of the envied journalists who was allowed to skip the queue and go straight into the Rain Room, an innovative installation from experimental company Random International. This project is their largest and most ambitious work yet: a 100 square metre field of falling water for visitors to walk through: amazingly they remain entirely dry as the sensors detect them and stop the showers. It is appealing to feel part of an artwork and for the Rain Room participation is crucial to the success of the piece.

It is a mesmerising sight… technically virtuosic and visually staggering. Standing at the tip of the storm is a thrill and taking the first step is weirdly scary. Soon the adrenaline gets pumping and you feel invincible halting the droplets with every step… but be warned move too quickly and the sensors won’t keep up… put simply you will get wet. Paired with striking light design, Rain Room is a genius new artwork that thrills every visitor. For a few minutes you can control the rain, a superpower we all wish for as Londoners.

Be warned though – to play the Rain Game and you could be waiting up to four hours, it is a breathtaking installation but with so much rainfall outside you may feel silly waiting in line for so long to see even more…

Continues until 3rd March, more information here.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=13723