Artechouse, the nation’s first innovative digital art destination with locations in Washington, DC, New York City and Miami Beach, presents its fourth annual cherry blossom inspired installation, Renewal 2121 in the nation’s capital. This original Artechouse production utilizes the power of creative technology to transport visitors into an imagined future 100 years from now where nature’s resilience takes center stage amongst an overdeveloped metropolis, empowering visitors to interact to help the blooms of our future continue to renew. Open to all ages, Renewal 2121 is on view now to September 6 at Artechouse DC (1238 Maryland Avenue, SW).
“Every year we get inspired by the incredible power and beauty of nature to bring the cherry blossom season and its message of renewal and reflection to life at our innovative art space. This year, we felt it was imperative to spotlight the collective environmental responsibility needed to ensure that our natural surroundings thrive. We hope that this installation will inspire visitors to be part of the positive change.” said Sandro, Artechouse founder and chief creative officer
Renewal 2121 presents a possible future 100 years from now, if humanity’s growth and expansion goes unchecked. As visitors explore Artechouse DC’s four galleries, they will traverse through a cyberpunk cityscape, an interactive market, bustling alleyways and an abandoned rooftop, finding nature blooming in the most unexpected places amidst this industrial future. This science fiction aesthetic is intentional — the imagined worlds of our future and advancements in science and technology often inspire one other.
The installation’s inspiration also celebrates three themes of renewal — the city, nature, and ourselves. Paralleling the constant rebirth of cities through human innovation and nature’s adaptive resilience, Renewal 2121 coincides with both the blooming season and the beginning of the calendar year. The forward-looking energy of new hopes, dreams and actions that these cycles bring is part of the core message of this multi-sensory experience, along with the critical challenge that we face together as global citizens: climate change. Focusing specifically on the extinction element of climate change and presenting “sakura” or cherry blossoms as a symbol for nature as a whole, Renewal 2121 aims to inspire people to harness their energy towards finding solutions that will ensure a brighter future.
Produced by the Artechouse Creative Team in collaboration with multidisciplinary artists from around the globe, Renewal 2121 is a true manifestation of a remote collaborative process to tell a story of renewal and optimism. While Japanese digital artist and motion graphics designer Yuya Takeda lends his visual design talents to the sweeping visuals and Artechouse creative team recreates in 3D and brings to life through animation, and augmentation by meaningful digital interactivity, the Düsseldorf-based group Mario Hammer and the Lonely Robot create an original score and Maryland-based Design Foundry works to fabricate the rich, atmospheric scenery.
The technology-driven art installation is an official part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival for the fourth year in a row. “Our fourth annual partnership with Artechouse will engage the D.C. community with a visual art installation focused on the feelings of renewal sparked by the blooming of the cherry blossoms,” said Diana Mayhew, president and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “We can’t wait for visitors to experience Artechouse’s creative and unique exhibit.”
