If you've ever wondered what would happen if a kid's drawing of their wildest dream utopia suddenly came off the page and into real life, you're in luck, because that's pretty much what's happening right now beneath the Art Gallery of NSW.
Artist and professional disruptor Mike Hewson has taken over the weird subterranean world of The Tank with his one-of-a-kind new exhibition, Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat, where for the first time ever, all the main lights in the normally pitch-dark Tank will be switched on, revealing a weird wonderland of interactive art pieces and play equipment that have to be seen to be believed.
We're talking: A steam room with stained glass windows that you can actually sit in, a functioning sauna with bespoke church pews, five actual operating public barbeques that you can cook on, rushing water to play in (seriously, bring your swimmers), a working laundry, and a free-to-use recording studio, plus a whole plethora of bright and delightful surprises that are all about getting community together, to do cool stuff, for free.
Basically, break your imagination and delete all adult expectations. This is unlike anything we've ever seen.
Kids who aren't afraid of some risk are also one of Hewson's big targets with this show (although parents, rest easy, the floor is specially made out of recycled soft rubber that's rated for use in public playgrounds), with the space also home to a wild children's playground.
Intrepid kidlets can test their courage and swing from a giant set of monkey bars that loop through The Tank's immense set of concrete columns, fly on big swings and climb up a towering pile of strange objects to slip down a big pink slide.
Running for a year and free for everyone to enter, this exhibition is basically if a fever dream became tangible reality. Clamber through a custom-made raised floor, be dazzled by strange combos of colour and texture, and don't be afraid to interact with a surreal world that's been specially crafted for curious seekers just like you.
After all, the secret is in the show's name, the key's under the mat. All you've got to do is let yourself in, and make yourself at home.