29Rooms Chicago: Interactive Instagrammable Art Installations
29rooms is an interactive art exhibit created by media company refinery29. This experience showcases 29 unique art installations, created in collaboration with local artists, brands, and celebrities supporting refinery29's platform of supporting young women.
I’ve been following 29rooms since I lived in NYC during NYFW September 2016, and was in love with this exhibit. I love interactive, bright, colorful art exhibits, its what my heart is drawn to and what brings me creative inspiration. Unfortunately, by the time I learned of 29rooms while in NYC, it was sold out and I later moved back to Chicago.
You can imagine my excitement when refinery29 announced 29rooms Chicago for their "Turn it into Art" tour.
I. Was. Ecstatic!
I immediately purchased my ticket along with my homegirl (this is to be experienced with a friend) and waited anxiously for July 26th to arrive!
My Experience:
I attended the 7-10 PM time slot on the first day and was only able to experience around 10 out of 29 rooms. I missed out on a lot of rooms which was a bummer due to the long lines. Also, some were not even rooms, including some freestanding displays, a mural, and the gift stand...yeah. Real talk, this could've been called 16 rooms and some, finish if you can challenge.
The Rooms:
Room 4 out of 29: Shred it
Guests were asked to write down "whatever is weighing you down" and shred it. I wrote down; Sacrificing my dreams, obviously I needed more than just a shredder to release this to the universe (sage, crystals, prayers; to say the least). Nevertheless it was meaningful and you got to play with paper shreds for a good boomerang moment (I even broke a nail in the process).
Room 9 out of 29: Erotica in Bloom
In collaboration with Maisie Cousins
Room 13 out of 29: Gender Neutral
In collaboration with Jill Solway's Topple & Xavier Schipani
Room 15 out of 29: Happy Skin
In Collaboration with Clinque
Rooms Love is Love; What' s Your Frequency; Harmony
Room _____out of 29: Hear our Voice
In collaboration with the Women's March
Guests were provided postcards and encouraged to write messages to their state representatives. 29rooms will later mail the postcards out to your local representative. Please note Ellena's message, we hear you Sis and 100% agree.
My favorite out of all the rooms had to be Rooms 10/11 out of 29: Rest in Power, Rest in Peace.
In Colloboration with Shani Crowe
The top 'Rest in Power' is a beautiful dedication representing healing for the dead and living impacted by Chicago violence. A throne to represent power. The power to push through, to keep living with purpose, and represent loved ones in the physical form as we continue on this journey without them.
The bottom 'Rest in peace' is a meditative shrine filled with beautifully lit white candles. One of the 29room staff members explained the room's significance; encouraging us to write a message for our loved ones who have transitioned, leave the letter, and take a shell as remembrance.
This room was simply empowering and beautiful, chi-town's finest.
As more instgrammable interactive exhibits come into the city here are a couple of tips for your next exprience!
Be time conscious! Yes you have 3 hours to explore the rooms, which sounds like plenty of time but there were lines to experience most of the spaces which cut the time very short.
Avoid 7-10 PM time slot! Not sure if the other slots had long lines, but with people out of work (and school) during this time, the lines were very long. Plus, we got there on time at 7 P.M and still couldn't get to all the rooms. Go with an earlier time slot if possible.
Actually Interact and experience each room. There's so many meaningful messages and activities which the artists/collaborators infused into each room. Take time to read the messages and experience what's asked of in each room.
'Gotta hit them angles' but try Plan Ahead! Of course you gone snap pictures for the 'Gram but before entering each space try plan your photography so you don't waste time trying capture the right poses, boomerangs, insta/snapchat stories, etc. This will take up more time and as mentioned 3 hours flies by when you're trying to capture that IG feed worthy photo (believe me I know).
Go with a friend! This is definitely something to experience with someone else, plus you'll need help with capturing your photographic moments.
Overall Review
Scale of 1-10; 10 being Extremely Instagrammble to 1 being Nothing to see Here, Can't do it for the 'Gram, I'd give 29rooms an 8.5.
I expected more of an actual funhouse experience, not isolated spaces, which in turn could've eliminated the lines. The lines were a major disappointment and couldn't have been avoided even with early arrival. It was also very hot in the warehouse (I was glowing more than usual) even with large air conditioners attempting to cool the space down. I appreciate 29rooms partnering up with Chicago artists Shani Crowe and Max Sansing and they both definitely represented for the Chi with their stunning works of art. I got some awesome photos and I'm glad I finally got to experience 29rooms, next time I'll check them out in NYC!
Do it for the 'Gram
Location:
1522 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60642
Times:
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
3–6 p.m.
7–10 p.m.
Price: $39+ Fees
For more information check out: 29rooms Website
- by Lady Adelaide
