WASHINGTON 鈥� Peak bloom for the trees lining the Tidal Basin isn鈥檛 expected for a few more weeks, but beginning March 15, cherry blossoms will be on full display just a few blocks from the National Mall 鈥� and visitors are invited to do more than just look.
Inside the at ARTECHOUSE 鈥� an interactive art space in Southwest D.C. 鈥� touching, playing, even tasting, is encouraged.
鈥淔or the longest time, we used to be very passive viewers. We were told, 鈥楬ere鈥檚 a painting or a sculpture and you can observe and appreciate it, but you can鈥檛 touch it,鈥欌�� said Tati, a founder and managing director at , who goes by her first name only.
鈥淏ut with today鈥檚 technology, we feel like it鈥檚 easier to connect to the art when you鈥檙e able to explore it and create your own meaningful experience.鈥�
At the center of the exhibit is a large-scale, moonlit installation featuring floating petals and swimming koi fish that react to a wave, a shuffle or a spin.
There鈥檚 also a lantern-lit street, lined with puddles that respond to footsteps, and a 3D sculpture of a koi pond, where fish appear when a hand hovers.
A dark room in the back houses two 16-seat tables, positioned between blossom-covered pillars. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings through May 6, visitors can partake in an , where food is paired with different visual projections and auditory cues.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that I feel today鈥檚 society is really craving, to have that hands-on experience [with art],鈥� Tati said.
Just one flight up from the exhibit is ARTECHOUSE鈥檚 bar, which also features interactive art through augmented reality cocktails. Glasses atop coasters appear to be ordinary old fashions, but through the lens of the ARTECHOUSE app, they come to life.
is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the website. Admission to the interactive dining experience, $85, is separate.
