The Musée Patamécanique is a private, by-appointment-only museum nestled in the historic heart of Bristol, Rhode Island. Established in 2006 by artist and inventor Neil Barden Salley, the museum presents a surreal, immersive journey where art, science, and performance converge. Its foundation lies in “Patamechanics,” a playful offshoot of ’Pataphysics, a philosophical framework that investigates imaginary solutions and the logic of exceptions. With its dreamlike atmosphere and curious exhibits, the Musée Patamécanique invites visitors to blur the line between reality and imagination.

Immediate Challenge

This brand identity project challenged me to think differently, from the very beginning. This brand values ambiguity; they’re intentionally elusive, with even their location kept under wraps. My goal wasn’t to clarify who they are, but to express that mystery through design.

Process

This project took time, patience, and a lot of exploration. I dove deep into trying to understand what it meant for a brand not to want to be fully understood. Through research into optical illusions and conceptual design, I found a visual language that mirrored their nature.

One illusion, in particular, stood out. It aligned with the brand’s essence and left just enough room for interpretation. I recreated and reimagined this illusion in a way that felt original and immersive.

Eventually, I layered the brand name directly into the illusion, merging identity with mystery. The type is hard to read, and that’s the point. It draws viewers in and forces them to engage, interpret, and wonder. The final result is a visual identity that resists clarity in the most intentional and artful way.