Glitter, Glitz, and Girl Power Dominate 29Rooms

Digital-media and entertainment company Refinery29‘s 29Rooms tented immersive art experience is at the ROW DTLA until Sunday, December 17, 2017.

A large tent adjacent to the former L.A. Terminal that is now ROW DTLA houses the self-guided walk-through tour. As titled, it is filled with 29 different themed rooms of varying styled, sensory, artistic, and immersive experiences designed for active participation and selfie-taking galore.

Like many of the pop-up walk-through gallery experiences cropping up in the adjacent Arts District, some of the rooms exist as artistic expression as well as openly encouraging patron participation and engagement, while others simply exist as sponsored product promotion.

The now sold-out event is $19 for general admission and the additional evening Art After Dark curated experience is $85.

Here is a list of the themed rooms as the artists and sponsors have presented them for those joining the experience this Saturday and Sunday. Sunday-goers take note that Smorgasburg is every Sunday at ROW DTLA from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. where parking is validated for 2 hours for that event and may mean a busy parking structure:

ART HEALS in collaboration with The Art of Elysium: This room will arm each guest with their own paintbrush and palette to add their individual contribution to a living installation that celebrates hope and highlights the healing power of art, created in collaboration with The Art of Elysium, the non-profit artist-driven organization dedicated to creativity and inspiration.

BECOME THE MASTERPIECE in collaboration with Alexa Meade: In this double room featuring two contrasting artistic styles both painted by Alexa Meade, the walls are the canvas and the guests are the masterpiece. Grab a prop and get into character while channeling your inner muse. You’ll become part of the scene as you turn yourself into art.

BRIGHT FUTURE in collaboration with Planned Parenthood: This large-scale installation shines its bright neon lights on the importance of providing quality healthcare and accurate information to everyone — no matter who they are or where they live. Listen to the stories of those who’ve been touched by Planned Parenthood and pledge your support for the millions of people who the organization could continue to help.

DREAMER’S DEN in collaboration with Juno Calypso and Darby Parker: Enter this surreal speakeasy, grab a seat, and watch as this fiery and ethereal siren Darby Parker turns your thoughts into art. Surrounded by the imagery of British artist Juno Calypso, guests are welcomed into an interactive space featuring live singing from Parker, who will turn the dreams guests share into a song on the spot.

EROTICA IN BLOOM in collaboration with Maisie Cousins: Inside this multi-sensory experience, artist Maisie Cousins blurs the lines between sex, art, and nature. Inspired by the age old sexual symbolism of flowers, guests will step inside life-sized pods for a provocative and playful thrill ride featuring custom content that engages all the senses.

FAIR GROUNDS in collaboration with Google Pixel 2 and Nina Chanel Abney: There’s something so inspiring about a child’s wild curiosity. Transport yourself back to your inquisitive childhood years as you enter this colorful, inclusive space that blends the fun of a playground with thought-provoking artwork. A sanctuary for sharing, curiosity, and new ideas, let this playground inspire you to see the world through a different lens, and capture the moment with Google’s Pixel 2.

FLAVOR CHAMBERS in collaboration with Perrier® & HOTTEA: Enter this deliciously colorful installation designed in partnership with the Perrier® Artist Of The Year, HOTTEA. Quench your thirst for the extraordinary, immerse yourself in the scented soundscapes and unravel your creativity as you experience the refreshing, fruity world of Perrier® Flavors.

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE in collaboration with Madame Gandhi and Jen Mussari: Take out your frustrations on hand-painted punching bags by illustrator Jen Mussari. Fit with punching gloves and surrounded by the pumping sounds of the powerful single, “The Future Is Female” by electronic music artist Madame Gandhi, guests will create a beautiful stress-free symphony together.

GENDER NEUTRAL in collaboration with Jill Soloway’s Topple: Recreating the refuge and familiar sanctity of a high school bathroom, this space invites guests to listen to first-person stories on their own of the first awareness of gender identity from Roberta Colindrez, Rhys Ernst, Alexandra Grey, Amos Mac, Bashir Naim, and Pigeon Pagonis. Created in collaboration with Emmy-winning director and creative force Jill Soloway and artist Xavier Schipani, the intimate space lets attendees share in these highly personal moments of self-discovery.

HARMONY in collaboration with Chloe x Halle and Benjamin Shine: This sound and visual installation is a collaboration between British artist and designer Benjamin Shine and sisters and recording artists Chloe x Halle. Exploring the many intertwining layers that make up the bond of sisterhood, the space celebrates the duality of the physical and spiritual connection and the beauty of energies uniting.

HEAR OUR VOICE in collaboration with Women’s March: Capturing the potent spirit of activism from the Women’s March, this space takes you back to that historic moment, asking you to channel your creativity to unite and use the power of our collective voices. Surrounded by the artwork created in collaboration with Refinery29 as well as work by Amplifier, guests can write a message to their national representative and continue to push that revolutionary energy forward.

HERE TO CREATE in collaboration with Adidas: In sport, performance, practice and play, the energy we create is palpable; the creativity we unleash is real. It moves us, inspires us, and powers us to blaze new paths. As you enter this Adidas running energy station, be the spark that fuels inspiration. Let the world know you’re a force to be reckoned with. You’re here to create.

GIRL LOVE in collaboration with Lilly Singh: Through owning, celebrating, and helping each other find our greatness, we strengthen our collective power to let our voices be heard. Created in collaborated with Lilly Singh aka IISuperwomanII, this space asks attendees to grab their capes, come together and wield our collective superpowers for good. Together we can break the cycle of girl-on-girl hate and spread the love. Lots and lots of girl love!

JUST BE in collaboration with Ashlee Haze, Jonathan Rosen and Wallplay: In collaboration with spoken word artist Ashlee Haze, artist Jonathan Rosenand Wallplay, this space will surround guests with the words of Haze, while Rosen’s interactive mirror allows them to reflect and celebrate different aspects of their bodies without limit or judgment.

LAUGH-O-MATIC in collaboration with Sasheer Zamata: Laughter is contagious in this colorful interactive space that will capture the comedic spirit of actress and comedian Sasheer Zamata. Head through a life-size car wash complete with a bubble chamber, and come out smiling on the other side.

MOVE AND BE MOVED in collaboration with Lizzo: Both an intimate and collective experience all at once, be in your own head while feeding off the energy of attendees’ togetherness. Set to the pumping music of rapper-singer Lizzo, we invite you to escape from it all for a short while, throw on some headphones, hit the dance floor and join us in this silent disco.

ONE WOMAN, MANY CROWNS in collaboration with Netflix’s “The Crown”: Figuratively swapping out her many crowns to govern, love, lead or nurture, Queen Elizabeth II has played many roles in her lifetime. To celebrate season two of Netflix’s “The Crown” premiering 12/8, guests will step into this royal showroom to try on these crowns, one for each of her personas: the wife, the mother, the sister, the sovereign, and the visionary.

NEUROSPECULATIVE AFROFEMINISM in collaboration with Hyphen-Labs: In this virtual reality scape, you’re transported to a future of empowerment. Free from the constraints and limitations that are placed on you in your current reality, the only limit is your imagination. Ready to optimize different regions of your mind? Don’t miss your appointment at the neuro-cosmetology lab created by female artistic collective Hyphen-Labs — it’s time to gain access to a digital multiverse.

THE NEW WORLD in collaboration with Toyota: Step inside this immersive, surrealist set and experience how it feels to drive the thrilling All-New 2018Camry. Filled with interactive moments and 3D elements, hop into the driver’s seat and go on a galactic journey that will engage all of your senses. Depart from the everyday, experience the sensory thrill of this alternate reality, and turn your drive into art.

OCEAN OF CREATIVITY in collaboration with Jee Young Lee: In collaboration with Korean contemporary artist Jee Young Lee, this room will turn trash collected from around New York City into an entirely sustainable seascape portrait that guests can step into to create the last link in this transformative chain.

PORTRAITS OF SELF-EXPRESSION in collaboration with Urban Decay Cosmetics: An inspiring tool for self-expression and creativity, makeup helps us own our individuality and show the world why we’re wonderful. Turn yourself into a work of art as you enter this dazzling space in collaboration with Urban Decay Cosmetics where glitter reigns supreme. Step into the frames, strike a power pose and let your badass beauty sparkle and shine.

THE POWER PARLOR in collaboration with Demi Lovato: We all have our own form of battle scars; a reminder of what we’ve overcome. Inspired by powerhouse Demi Lovato’s own tattoos that celebrate her resilience, step into this temporary tattoo parlor and turn your personal journey into art. Adorn yourself with a message of courage and self-confidence, and let your ink empower you to move forward in the face of any challenge.

SEEN & UNSEEN in collaboration in JUCO: Though seemingly random, all things, seen and unseen, are connected. We are intrinsically linked to everything in the world around us, though we often can’t visualize the connections. Step into this space in collaboration with artistic duo JUCO, activate your aura and start to see the un-seeable.

UNDER THE SHEA TREE in collaboration With SheaMoisture: Meet us under the dense canopy of the Shea tree and let the stories of SheaMoisture’s Community Commerce programs connect you to the world. With the power to transform, protect, and educate, realize the impact SheaMoisture’s ethical supply chain has on countless people and ask yourself, “what if?”

TALES WE TELL in collaboration with Emma Roberts & Karah Preiss: A larger than life typewriter will set the scene in this space inspired by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss’ Belletrist book community. Celebrating female authors and helping to keep the art of storytelling alive, you’ll be greeted by dozens of empty books that you can write in — whether crafting your own story or adding to someone else’s. Additionally, for the Los Angeles installation, Belletrist will partner with RE-BOOK IT, an LA-based book donation service, and THE LAST BOOKSTORE, one of the few remaining independently run local bookstores, inviting attendees to donate their used books throughout both weekends.

THE TROPHY ROOM in collaboration with “I, Tonya” starring Margot Robbie: To stand atop the podium of any sport requires persistence, determination, and self-belief. Inspired by Margot Robbie’s iconic performance as Tonya Harding, we invite you to claim your own gold: step up on the podium and wave your flag defiantly for all to see.

WHAT’S YOUR FREQUENCY? in collaboration with Janelle Monáe: Through the weaponization of technology, mass surveillance, and cultural uniformity, many argue that modern society is waging an invisible war against us all. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we explore our own complex humanity, document injustice, and fight for our freedom. In this installation, step into the ranks of this surreal army of surveillance as you’re watched, recorded and transmitted. Take creative control of their gaze and turn your liberation into art.

THE WOMB in collaboration with Cleo Wade: A fully immersive experience recreating the sensation of being inside a mother’s womb. Crawl into the giant enclosed bean bag, curl up, and soak in all the love while listening to a meditative poem written and recited by artist Cleo Wade. Replenish your love of self and others in this comfortable space so that you may re-enter the world with more love to give.

WORLD OF DAISY in collaboration with Marc Jacobs Fragrances: Immerse yourself into the world of Marc Jacobs DAISY. Upon entering, guests will emerge into a surreal floral dreamscape, inspired by the signature scent. Blooming with vibrant colors, whimsical proportions and floral accessories, the space engages guests to experience the optimistic and free-spirited nature of the fragrance through sight, sound and smell as they explore this multi-sensory reality, manifested from dreams. Welcome to the world of DAISY.

About Monique A. LeBleu

Monique A. LeBleu is a writer, photographer, videographer, and shameless foodie and wineaux. A love of film history and a background in film production, post-production, and film theory provide unique insights into her movie reviews. As well, a background in technical theater fuels her passion on all-things theater. As a foodie, living in the ever-growing and diverse culinary landscape that is the City of Los Angeles feeds her never-ending pursuit of the perfect comfort food—the world's best Mac n' Cheese!
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One Response to Glitter, Glitz, and Girl Power Dominate 29Rooms

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