Relive the Trippy Final Scene From ‘2001’ at the Smithsonian

The whole set is intact. You get two minutes, Star Child.

April 17, 2018 9:00 am

Now this is what we call a space walk.

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant, endlessly scrutinized adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey with “The Barmecide Feast,” a full-scale recreation of the hotel room from the film’s near-final scene.

“Feast” is the work of Hong Kong-based British artist Simon Birch, who worked with architect Paul Kember on recreating the film’s original set (two of Kember’s uncles actually worked as draftsmen on 2001). The exhibit was formerly part of Birch’s 14th Factory, a multi-room installation project that took over a warehouse in L.A. last spring. 

A walkthrough is free, but you’ll need tickets. Groups of six get two minutes to “experience the surreal environment depicted in the film” and must don protective shoe coverings. Photography is encouraged, and whatever you feel about the experience is up to you.

The exhibit runs through May 28th. If you can’t make it to the Nation’s capital before then, consider checking out the movie in its full 70mm glory thanks to a Christopher Nolan-backed theatrical re-release.

[H/t HiConsumption]

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