by Gina Gallucci-White
Washington, D.C., is home to large number of museums dedicated to a variety of subjects including history, art, the postal service, air and space, spying, women, military and more. Most of these venues feature priceless relics of the past displayed behind glass for the world to see.
For those looking for a different type of museum experience while in the nation’s capital, head to ARTECHOUSE, an innovative digital art destination located near the Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza Metro stations. Here, you won’t just be standing in a line to get a quick glimpse of a relic. This venue, with locations in New York City and Miami as well, features projections, sounds and motion sensors designed to change the art when visitors occupy the space to create interaction.
The District is known for its cherry blossom trees that bloom in the early days of spring along the Tidal Basin. For the last four years, ARTECHOUSE has hosted a cherry blossom inspired installation with the 2021 show offering a conservation twist. Renewal 2121, open through Sept. 6, takes guests to an imagined future a century from now looking at nature’s resilience amongst an overdeveloped metropolis. The exhibit asks guests to ponder what if humanity’s growth and expansion went unchecked?
Visitors will meander through four galleries — a cyberpunk city space, an interactive market, bustling alleyways and an abandoned rooftop — where nature is still present in this industrial future. Curators hope guests will see the inspiration behind the piece celebrating three themes of renewal — the city, nature and ourselves. The forward looking, multi-sensory installation is a welcome respite for residents still weary over the past year’s COVID-19 pandemic.
Installations change several times a year so be sure to be on the lookout for when a new one is set to open.