Perhaps you've heard of the experiences brought to you by the sold-out Museum of Ice Cream that are taking wave over New York and Los Angeles. Now, Jordan Ferney, founder of lifestyle blog Oh Happy Day!, has collaborated with hot local artists Leah Rosenberg, Erin Yang, and numerous designers to produce a two-story, 12,000 square foot interactive color experience Color Factory (575 Sutter St.) right in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The factory opened to the public August 1st, attracting all ages, from young children to Millennial adults. Tickets have already sold out for August and the 15-site installation has been extended into September.
As you enter the building, the experience team cloaked in yellow jumpsuits, guide you down a technicolor staircase and into a rainbow-abstract room, a feeling reminiscent of the beloved film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You are handed a photo card in the striped reception space to use at any of the photo booths of the highly Instagram worthy rooms. But wait! Before you enter, you are invited to partake in a sweet treat sponsored by Chantal Guillon, on a rotating color wheel.
After an introduction to the neon eccentric monochromatic orange room installation by Tosha Stimage, enter a hair raising static-induced blue balloon room sponsored by Geronimo Balloons and Alaska Airlines. In the adjacent room, get ready to sparkle on the dance floor lit up by delightful disco balls.
From dark to bright, after you have toyed with the Lite Bright inspired installation, you'll be able to color yourself happy with a giant green marker in the freehand outlines on the walls by Andy J. Miller and Andrew Neyer.
You've made it to the much anticipated ribbon room, where you can walk, twirl, shake, hide, or do as you please in a multitude of hanging pastel-hued pieces.
The 2nd floor awaits! Up the neon pink lit stairs, past the happy face, and the core of the factory gleams with colored sunlight as the factory reminds all, "This is a place to sit, take a deep breath and soak in all the colors." The method sponsored confetti room allows visitors to splash the candy-colored tissue into the air for whimsical moments. Across, the violet #Selfie room, created by Tom Stayte, makes all think about the meaning of digital self-portraits by allowing the audience to tag #tomstayte and automatically print his or her selfie, amidst all the other violet selfies.
For those who haven't stepped into a ball pit since their Chuck E. Cheese days, welcome back. In a yellow space with cursive quips, even if you are not under the age of 12, no one can resist but to dip their toe in the lemon-colored pool and immerse themselves in play. Once out of the pool, you can bring yourself back to adulthood, with a completely yellow pop-up curated by New York's Randi Brookman Harris. Garden Creamery will allow you to savor the time you've had in the factory with some dainty banana soft serve.
Is it over? The journey through the factory has come to a close, but don't fret. The experience continues in the 7x7 city with a map of areas & partners filled with pops of colors, ideas, and chromatic inspired deals.
