By Elazar Abrahams
Once again, TV and City returned to Refinery29’s interactive art installation 29Rooms for another year of fun. This year the exhibit is located in Brooklyn, on the fifth floor of a warehouse at 25 Kent Avenue. It’s the perfect host for the hip activation that will be taking over your Instagram feed. As always, we were privileged to attend the press preview and opening night party. Here are some highlights.
TEENAGE BEDROOM: Remember those formative years when you were a teenager and just how sacred your bedroom was? It was that dreamy place you could always count on, where you could even remove yourself from the world and get lost in your own thoughts and reflection. In this room, designer Uzumaki Cepeda invites you to enter a time warp and revisit your teenage years, from looking through the closet to playing a working Nintendo 64. This is a cozy space for everyone.
NOW CASTING – FEMALE STORYTELLERS: In 2017, only 8% of the top 100 grossing films were directed by women. This room is created by Shatterbox, an award-winning short-film series dedicated to spotlighting the voices of female filmmakers, and providing emerging and established talent the support and opportunity to realize their vision and reach new audiences through storytelling. In this photo booth, grab a lasso and cowboy hat to strike a pose!
THE VALUES STAND: Are headlines and news notifications getting you down? Well, cheer up, because the ACLU is inviting you to join the fight for civil rights and civil liberties in Congress, in the courts, and in your community. And at this room, I managed to find myself a new profile picture.
OLD TALES. NEW BLOOD.: This room really suited our interests as TV critics. It promoted season two of Tell Me a Story, the CBS All Access show that puts a modern spin on classic fairy tales. There’s another nice photo-op here.
THE MIRAGE: Ok, this was actually the sole room I did not like. In partnership with Facebook, you whip out your Instagram camera to experience a lame AR activation in a bland black room. The technology is just not as impressive as the company thinks it is. My 3DS did the same but better back in 2010.
DANCE BREAK: This was my absolute favorite! Peel back a curtain to be greeted by a DJ spinning some fire jams and professional dancers on the floor. This your chance to let loose and get down. Show off your moves! Great fun in this one.
LA POOL PARTY: Take a summer-y snapshot at this pool and beach scene promoting Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q.
YOU ARE MAGIC: The description here was pretty out there. “Our spirit is the essence of who we are. Magic is everywhere and it is available to all of us.” In this room, you can explore an enchanted crystal cave. “Because now more than ever, the universe needs your beacon of light, so have no fear in shining bright.”
NO FILTER: Rainbow color lights for perfect selfies. ‘Nuff said.
MAKE YOUR MARK: Glow in the dark painting for all! Fill in a mural designed by local artists with neon-colored paint. This space was super interactive, but not photo-friendly.
SAFETY SANCTUARY: Sponsored by Uber, this lounge area is comfy “af,” as the kids say. (Am I hip?)
A HERO’S JOURNEY: Let’s end off with something near and dear to my heart: Star Wars. This room intensified my hype for The Rise of Skywalker. Sit in the pilot’s chair and steer the Millennium Falcon and swing your lightsaber in a duel with a friend.
Buy tickets to 29Rooms and find more information HERE.
TV and City 