New Nature by Marpi is a hit for kids at the ARTECHOUSE

Enter into a space where your imagination, wonders and thoughts connect with the beauty of art and technology. A place where you can’t help to say, “How did they do that?” “Can I touch this?” or “Is this real?” Try something new for your next outing with the family at ARTECHOUSE. We recently visited to explore the newest exhibit, New Nature by Marpi. This exhibit explores the organic world through an immersive audio-visual experience that is driven by sensory movements. This time I did no research before our visit so that I would be just as surprised as the kids.

When stepping inside the museum, the kids were a little confused about where we were. Unlike other places we’ve visited, there was just a lobby with steps leading us downstairs to a world unknown (at least that’s what they thought). Once going downstairs, our tour guide introduced us to the exhibit and gave us the rundown of what to expect and how to get the best out of our experience. Before I knew it, the kids were sneaking off to the right peeking inside the dark room.

Before getting started, we were told to install an app that we could use to upgrade our experience (and it did). There are four spaces to explore so be prepared to spend about an hour at the museum. The first space we stepped into was a big amphitheater type of room. There we saw plant like structures sliding and crawling across the walls. Controlling the Bubble Man was the best part for my son! He and my mom spent quite some time boxing each other. When he discovered that Bubble Man could interact with the wall plant structures that was all she wrote. I sat down on the big comfy pillows and watched him play. My daughter, on the other hand, found pleasure in taking over my phone and the museum iPad to control the plant structures and figuring out how to feed them.

In the second space, the kids enjoyed “running on the wheels.” There were moving screens that made you think you were inside of a machine controlling the movements. They must have spent at least 10 minutes running back and forth.

We were introduced to the planetarium in the third space, at least that’s what we called it. This was my favorite part of the exhibit. Sensors were used to allow us to move object on screens with our hands. In many cases, it seemed like we could pull the structures right off the screens. There are several tanks to play with and they all offer a different experience.

The fourth space was the only area where there was nothing to touch. The plant structures appear all around but the area it mostly powered by a really nice light display.

As you can see, we had a great time at the ARTECHOUSE and looking forward to visiting again. The New Nature exhibit is great for families and also good for date night. I challenge you to do something new and different before the year ends. Instead of buying gifts, share experiences!

Know Before You Go

Parking is available in the garage for $20. It’s a bit steep but you can find other parking nearby by using the Spothero app.

There is a bar (Augmented Reality Bar) but it’s only open in the evening during after-hours admission (21+). For a drink or a quick bite, there are two fast food options next door.

It’s best to purchase tickets online. There are multiple entry times to choose from.

NEW NATURE by Marpi: October 12th, 2018 – January 13th, 2019

RATES, ADMISSION & HOURS

 RATES

$15 adults/$8 children/$12 Students, Seniors (65+) & Military ID holders

 DAYTIME ADMISSION

Daily // 10AM – 5PM // All Ages

 EVENING ADMISSION

Daily // 5:30PM – 10/11PM

Ages 21+ Only

ARTECHOUSE has a mission to inspire, educate, and empower the creation of new, experiential and exploratory art form. They connect audiences to the arts, and stimulates interest in the limitless possibilities of technology, science and creativity. “Our goal is to create an innovative, new age arts destination dedicated to experiential and exploratory arts that is created through the medium of art, technology & science,”  Sandro, Founder & Art Director of ARTECHOUSE.