Located five miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe is Meow Wolf, a formerly abandoned bowling alley turned interactive, multimedia art experience. Since opening in March 2016, Meow Wolf has welcomed visitors to its art complex and The House of Eternal Return, an installation that takes participants on a journey through a literal home outfitted by the Santa Fe based arts collective. As visitors travel through the house, they learn clues about the family that once lived there and discover different storylines about the family and their dreams.
Backed initially through funding by George R. R. Martin, the ethereal home was created by a team of more than 130 artists. Trinity art history and communication major Andrea Acevedo ’18 served as a summer 2015 tech intern for Meow Wolf, an experience she says she would repeat in a heartbeat. The Richardson, Texas, native talks life with Meow Wolf and her favorite room in The House of Eternal Return.
Q: What were your duties as a tech intern?
Andrea: “As an intern, I learned how to do a lot of things, like how to solder wires, build servers, put together a computer, and work on lighting. I did a lot of measuring of LED strips and figured out which ones need to go where on which installations.”
Q: How did you discover this internship?
A: “I had been searching for something art related, but that also involved tech, because I really like the idea of mixing art and technology together. One day my roommate showed me a video about an art collective in Santa Fe and the project they were doing. I knew it would be perfect and so I sent them an email telling them about myself and asking to intern.”
Q: What is unique about this experience?
A: “One thing the collective says is that instead of looking at a painting, The House of Eternal Return is like you are stepping into a painting and into the artwork. The whole exhibition is interactive and you can touch everything you want to. I really like going to art museums, but this is completely different.”
Q: Do you have a favorite room in the house?
A: “I mostly worked on the Portal Bermuda, so I liked that room. Overall, I loved how free you are to move around the house and how you are able to gather hints and clues about what is going on with this family. For instance, opening the refrigerator takes you to Portal Bermuda, where then you are transported to a new destination. Each room is a part of their lives blown up for you to see, hear, and feel.”
Q: What was the best part about spending a summer in Santa Fe?
A: “I really liked all of the outdoor things that I could do. I went hiking a lot, but then I also did art things like visited the home of Georgia O’Keefe. I think of myself as an artist and I like taking what I learn and making things.”
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