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[title]Let’s play L.A. – at the city’s new interactive playground. When we heard about the new Meta Lab pop-up on Melrose Avenue, we were intrigued. So, we went there with one of our favorite Time Out Tastemakers, influencer Drew Tillman, to check it out and we were blown away.
When we walked through the front door, we were greeted by a beautiful installation that presented a breakdown of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses in 3D format. It’s an image of the glasses showing all the hardware that—we found out later—is solidly hidden in these signature Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
We immediately wanted to try on a pair, and there are a number of stations where we could do just that. There were different styles with either clear, tinted or sunglass lenses (and prescription lenses can be added). We found a pair of the traditional, timeless black Wayfarer sunglasses, easily hooked them up to the app and we were on our way.
Drew shared his take on the pop-up: “Meta Lab is really impressive! I love that they created an entire world where you can fully experience the capabilities of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses.”
The centering design element (for now, read on) is Lowriders and Lowrider culture. We started at a gallery of photos by the world-renowned photographer, Estevan Oriol. These amazing images tell the story of both the cars and their owners, and show how it has become a movement that’s revered around the world. We were lucky enough to meet Estevan while we were there.
The theme will change over the next few weeks to DIY Style, the thriving L.A. movement coming from local style curators and artisans. It will feature work from Tierra Whack, artists from Suay Sew Shop and stylist Wisdom Kaye.
We followed that with a visit to a fully immersive, mirrored “palm tree” room, where we could change the colors and mood in the room with hand gestures. This was one of Drew’s favorite things. “It feels like stepping into the future. I haven’t seen an interactive art piece that you can control with gestures before, and it got me thinking about how this tech could eventually let us change the look of spaces, like our bedroom, with a simple hand movement.”
Next, we stopped by a detailed scale-model display of Whittier Avenue. The details were amazing, especially when viewing them through the glasses. This was followed by a video game with moving scale models of Lowriders bouncing in front of us.
Not to be missed, though, is an incredible wall-art installation above the video games. It’s an incredible piece by artist Jacqueline Valenzuela, and it speaks to and about the women who are part of and changing Lowrider culture.
Before we left, we stopped to pick up a Sidecar blue donut along with a coffee that was canned right in front of us. The perfect ending to a perfect first visit.
While the experience is pretty amazing to the naked eye, it is 100% enhanced when wearing Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. We could ask Meta AI questions throughout (with prompts set up around the entire space) and find answers to things without ever taking out a phone. Also, the glasses provided us with our own soundtrack made up of Drake, Charli XCX and more. It was so L.A.
Drew's final thought? “Hands-free photo and video is such a game changer; it was amazing for capturing unique POV shots. And, I love the style of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. They look good on everyone.”
Meta Lab is running until December 31st. Make your way to the Meta Lab pop-up on Melrose Avenue soon to see and experience Lowrider culture, but make sure to head back for DIY Style in December. And pick up a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses while you’re at it. You’re welcome.