The invention relates to a system and a method for creating an ambient experience for a person, particularly for a patient to be examined in a medical imaging device having a bore into which a patient table can be moved. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a display (30) for displaying image content such as a video for the relaxation of a patient, and an illumination device (40) for illuminating the surroundings with polarized light. Moreover, the system comprises a viewing aid, particularly a pair of glasses (20), that is designed to at least partially block light from the illumination device (40) while letting light from the display (30) pass. The viewing aid (20) may for example comprise a polarization filter (23) that lets linearly polarized light (D) from the display (30) pass while blocking light from the illumination device (40) that is polarized in a perpendicular direction. A patient on the patient table can thus view the display (30) without being disturbed by an illumination of the surroundings.