29 Rooms + 29 thoughts

Hello Everyone, 

I know its been a while since I've last posted something, but tbh for those who read my blog I've been ultimately having writers block. So don't worry I have a lot of content to update you guys on. Another reason is I'm personally experiencing lots of changes in my life that needed my attention hopefully in the next few months I can share those changes with you. But here's a recap of my past weekend festivities. So this weekend I had a chance to attend " Refinery 29 Rooms" here in the San Francisco and here are my "29 Thoughts" of this amazing installation. 

1. The experience lacked a proper introduction. Those who attended had difficulty highlighting the theme, artist, or meaning. - which ultimately made it overwhelming and a bit confusing. 

2. Its all for the Instagram post. 

3. Everyone was glued to their phone! If the experienced called for not using our phone, would it be more interesting? or less interesting? 

4. Thank goodness I wore comfortable booties, with the constant wait to get into a room made the experience feel as if I was Disneyland. 

5. Sometimes the most impactful room are the simple ones. 

6. Wearing a slik robe in a congested venue made me sweat a bit. 

7. Why did Jake Gyllenhaal collaborate with this piece? At first my impression was why would he create a room to shred pieces of paper. Apparently to promote his upcoming film. 

8. 3 hour window equals impossible to see all 29 rooms with all the wait. 

9. Lame 45 min wait to get basic air brush tattoos 

10. NO AIR CONDITIONING!

11. Friendly Employees! 

12-13. The cathartic experiences were much needed. Attendees had the opportunity to relax and meditate in a red, cushioned, womb-like tent by artist Cleo Wade and take out some aggression in a girl power themed room filled with boxing gloves and punching bags by Madame Gandhi and Jen Mussari

14. The venue layout ensure exploration and going out of order. No need to start at room 1 or room 29. 

15. Buy the VIP tour to get the personal insight on each piece.

16. Get there early to beat the crowds.

17. The hand sanitizer was a nice add to the boxing room. 

18. 29Rooms proved it's the Fashion Week experience that cares by partnering with social groups like The Women's March and Planned Parenthood, but why align with non-profits without offering any charity component? A clear missed opportunity, especially with an audience like socially-conscious Millennials

19. Venue choice at the Palace of Fine Arts was the best, for such a large installation. 

20. Prince Erik over here finally got his kiss from a princess ;) 

21. Artist JeeYoung Lee created this piece using 4,500 plastic water bottles, 1,500 wine corks, dozens of sheets of cardboard and recycled newspapers. Fitting with the events theme of topical relevance, the boat is covered in articles about Hurricane Harvey. 

22. Unsure what the video screens were displaying in the garden room, butthole? armpit? 

23. 29 rooms you mean 29 experiences. 

24. There were several rooms tied to activism and cause-related issues, whether it be women’s rights or race/gender equality. 2017 turned out to be a year that deeply divided our nation, but connecting opposing views and shedding light on issues through art and creativity continues to thrive in a big way.

25. If you find the room saying " Looking for... FUN...ADVENTURE...GLAMOUR. yeah don't think to hard about it. Your not missing out on anything. 

26. This experience reminds me that art no longer can stand alone. Art must be used as a backdrop instead of appreciating it as is. 

27. Park near Fort Mason to avoid the crazy traffic and the hunt for parking. 

28. Something to take away from this experience if your not there for the IG post, Never apologize for who you are and stand with your beliefs. 

29. Lastly, my favorite piece among the 29 rooms has to be the piece collaborated with Janelle Monae. Title " What's your frequency?"  What I loved is her installation stimulates conversation and questions about conformity and individuality and surveillance and freedom.

Until the next adventure. 

Ciao,

Chrystal