There's a brand-new Matrix-style art exhibit hiding under NYC's Chelsea Market
New York is now home to a brand-new exhibit that combines art, technology and science — and we have a feeling lines are going to be out the door soon. It's called Artechouse and it's hidden below the city's popular Chelsea Market, in a 100-year-old boiler room. The inaugural exhibit, created by a Turkish artist named Refik Anadol, opened to the public on September 6.
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According to Artechouse's website, the exhibit itself is named "Machine Hallucination" since it was created, in part, with artificial intelligence. It's an "experiment in interwoven sensory experiences, applying machine learning algorithms to a data set of more than 3 million images — representing a wide-range of architectural styles and movements — to reveal the hidden connections between these moments in architectural history." In short, it's a wall-to-wall sensory overload.
Getting to Artechouse is a bit of a trek, not to mention a scavenger hunt. First, you'll have to get to Chelsea Market, and although it's inside, you have to enter from 15th Street. There is no large street sign or even a sign advertising the space in sight. In fact, it's behind two big, black doors, right across from Milk Studios. I tried to enter from inside the market, and was told conflicting directions. Ultimately, a security guard told me I would have to go outside first. Moral of the story: Be prepared for a little bit of a wild goose chase.
Once inside, a staffer will show you a quick, three-minute video that gives a bit more context to the installation. Artechouse was founded in Washington, D.C., and recently opened another exhibit in Miami Beach. The New York City installation is the organization's newest.
After the video, they'll walk you to the doors of the exhibit. Once inside, you'll be engulfed in the dark room and transfixed on all of the colors and sounds. There are two floors: The mezzanine level houses a bar, complete with virtual-reality drinks. You'll have to download the app to get them, but there was no Wi-Fi to do so.
The lower level features the main exhibit. It's a wall-to-wall with different colors, shapes and even sounds. It wasn't busy, and everyone was sitting on the floor just taking it all in. A staffer even came by to give me a small pillow to sit on.
While the exhibit doesn't limit your time inside, 45 to 60 minutes is recommended. I was there for no more than 10, and while it was pretty peaceful and fun to look at, I was definitely getting motion sickness. The floors and walls are constantly "moving" so it's challenging to make yourself feel grounded.
If you want to get a taste of the exhibit without being fully immersed in it, go back up to the mezzanine level to watch it from above.
The exhibit easily went through tens of different visuals during the time that I was there.
The exhibit also featured a small alcove with screens that explained a little bit more of the technology behind the art.
The colors and shape changed often.
While Artechouse was certainly a cool way to spend a morning, there are plenty of other ways you can spend almost $30 in the city. The exhibit is undoubtedly very Instagram-friendly, but that's about it. Yes, it's fun to sit on the floor and immerse yourself in the sounds and sights — but honestly, after a few minutes, it gets a little nauseating.
My advice? Save your money, and go visit one of New York's iconic art museums instead.
All photos by the author.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.