In recent years, Los Angeles, like a lot of major cities, has seen a proliferation of art installations that seem geared toward providing great interactive content for Instagram. Often these events make creative use of odd venues, transforming them with a special twist or theme. One of the current hit installations in L.A. combines entertainment, art and travel.
Called “Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel,” the experience takes place in a warehouse in downtown L.A. that has been converted to feel like a fantastical 1960’s motel. Visitors stroll at their own pace through a series of guestrooms and discover all sorts of odd settings and happenings. Exhibits at the motel include video installations, strange set construction, live performances, hidden passageways and more — all with the goal to, as the event marketing says, “take guests on a vacation from reality and rediscover the childlike wonder that exists in all of us.”
Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel includes a variety of unique spaces to explore.
Credit: 2021 Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel
On a recent visit with my teenage kids, we were most impressed by the level of detail in the space, which utilizes mid-century modern decor to recreate the feeling of an old motel. Each of the rooms featured a unique reality-bending theme. One guestroom is filled entirely with mirrors; another feels like a chainsaw has cut everything in half so that it slants at odd angles. In the “courtyard” between rooms, a staff of in-character performers interact with visitors, adding levity to the experience, as well as advancing the fictional backstory of how the Madcap Motel came to be.
The venue was created by Paige Solomon, the creative director behind “Dream Machine,” a popular installation that was held in Brooklyn in 2018. “Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel” has been on hold for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 17,000-square-foot venue takes about 90 minutes to explore and is suitable for all ages (nothing scary about the exhibits). Adult admission is $40, and children (11 and under) are $30. Kids three and under are free. It’s open Thursday through Sunday.
The venue is located in the Downtown L.A. Arts District — a “hidden” part of the city that visitors will also enjoy exploring.
Now that we are all adjusting to the new reality of the post-pandemic world, clients visiting Los Angeles can experience this entirely different — and more entertaining — take on “reality.” It will provide an afternoon of fun and plenty of Insta-worthy shots for all.
The Details
Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel
