ARTECHOUSE celebrates spring and women in the arts and tech with the annual cherry blossom inspired seasonal exhibition in the nation’s capital. In Peak Bloom features interactive and immersive digital art installations inspired by the fragile beauty and ephemeral nature of the cherry blossom, reminding us of how precious and fleeting life is. Open to all ages, the exhibition is on view now through May 27th, 2019 at 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington D.C. 20024.
Every year locals and visitors from all over the world gather in D.C. to admire the flowering Sakura trees at the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. For centuries, the cherry blossom has held a special significance in Japanese and East Asian cultures, heralding the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The pale pink flowers only blossom for a week or two, a period known as “peak bloom,” before their petals start to carpet the ground or get carried off by the wind.
In Peak Bloom celebrates both the awe-inspiring beauty of the cherry blossom and its ephemeral nature. Highlights of this year’s exhibition include five installations created by women artists and female-led art collectives. Working with a variety of interactive media, the artists featured in In Peak Bloom bring the cherry blossoms’ symbolism to life in new ways, updating these time-honored concepts for the 21st century while simultaneously paying homage to traditional themes, such the transient nature of life (hakanai), and artistic genres like Ukiyo-e.
- Main Gallery // Hana Fubuki (2019) by AKIKO YAMASHITA with SACHIKO YAMASHITA & MIKITYPE – Immersive audio-visual installation with interactions
- Gallery 1 // Blooming (2018) by LISA PARK – Interactive installation powered by biometric sensors
- Gallery 2 // Akousmaflore et Lux (2007) by SCENOCOSME – Audio-visual interactive installation with living plants
- Media Lab // Enchanted Garden (2019) by DESIGN FOUNDRY – Mixed-media installation with augmented reality
- Mezzanine Bar // Sakaba – Augmented reality cocktail bar by ARTECHOUSE
The works take their inspiration from both the cherry blossoms’ iconic form as well as its traditional symbolism and mythology. The theme of “ephemerality,” in particular, features prominently in the exhibition — like the short-lived period of “peak bloom,” many of the works call our attention to the passing of time, momentary exchanges, and the impermanence that characterizes all life on earth.
In Peak Bloom will open for an exclusive Press Preview on March 19, 2019, with subscribers early access on March 20, 2019 and to the public starting March 21, 2019.
TIMES & HOURS:
In Peak Bloom is on view to the public March 21 – May 27, 2019,
Daytime Admission All Ages: Sun – Thur 10am – 7pm; Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm
After Hours Admission (21+): Sun – Thur 7pm – 10pm; Fri & Sat 5:30pm – 11:30pm
- Evening and Weekend admission includes access to the operating bar with ARTECHOUSE’s Augmented Reality cocktails and mocktails.
TICKETS:
Single and group tickets ranging from $8-16 can be reserved in advance at artechouse.com now. Onsite tickets ranging from $10-20 can be purchased for available sessions.
LOCATION:
ARTECHOUSE is located between Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza metro stations at 1238 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC, just next door to the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
ABOUT ARTECHOUSE
ARTECHOUSE, based in Washington, DC, is a first of a kind innovative art space dedicated to showcasing experiential and technology driven works by artists who are forerunners of the new age in the arts and technology. With a mission to inspire, educate, and empower the creation of new, experiential and exploratory art form, ARTECHOUSE connects audience to the arts, and stimulates interest in the limitless possibilities of technology, science and creativity. Since it’s opening in June 2017 ARTECHOUSE has welcomed over 350,000 visitors and was featured in New York Times, BBC, USA Today, National Geographic, CNN, Washington Post and numerous other national and international media outlets as the premier contemporary art space. ARTECHOUSE also houses the first in the U.S. Augmented Reality bar serving drinks activated with its free AR mobile app available on app store and google play.
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