ARTECHOUSE is at it again this spring, this time with SAKURA YUME // Cherry Blossom Dream. The cherry blossom is the quintessential icon of spring in the DC metro area, so what better way to celebrate the season, than will an interactive, visually-appealing exhibit?
The installation is 100% kid-friendly and I highly recommend you make your way to ARTECHOUSE before May 6th. There are essentially four different spaces to explore within the gallery. As you walk in, you’ll view the main gallery // Sakura Yume and will be immediately relaxed with the sights and sounds of this room. Sit on the benches in the middle of the room and play “I Spy” with your children as there are many different images to be found along the walls.
Gallery 1 houses Koi Pie, a 3D interactive sculpture. For this room, I recommend you prep your kids because it is very important that they not touch the actual sculpture. Move your hands around and above the sculpture to feed the koi fish or make the cherry blossom trees bloom.
Gallery 2, also known as Lantern Alley, is just that. Look above for a pretty display of traditional lanterns that respond to your footsteps as well as a funky fresh circular design on the wall at the end of the alley that you can interact with.
While the three spaces above are all unique and beautiful in their own right, my personal favorite space is the Media Lab which houses Bloom. The room is decorated with cherry blossoms throughout and you’ll find two long chabudai tables with zabuton for sitting. The tables are highly interactive, the music serene and I felt at peace here.
Make it a date night and enjoy a more structured, immersive dining experience in this room (ages 21 and over), every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. In addition, ARTECHOUSE continues to offer the first AR Cocktail Bar in the U.S. It is open daily during evening admission as well as Friday to Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
Make Cherry Blossom Dream an item on your spring bucket list, it’s one not to miss!
Additional Information
- Sakura Yume // Cherry Blossom Dream runs until May 6, 2018. The exhibit is open to all ages during the daytime from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then in the evening to ages 21+ from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Admission is $8/child and $15/adult. The Bloom food experience is $85. Purchase your tickets online in advance.
- There are various parking garages available plus limited street parking. I visited on a Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. and it took me about 15 minutes to find street parking nearby. The two closest garages were full for my visit, so something to think about as you plan your outing.
- If you’re hungry, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Flippin’ Pizza and Starbucks are all nearby.
Photos courtesy of Amy Miller
