Wild detail in wold’s first ‘living’ AI arts museumWaiting outside the world’s first “living” AI arts museum, I wondered whether it would look straight out of a sci-fi movie. A few steps in, it became clear I wasn’t far off.Brielle Burns6 min readAugust 16, 2026 - 1:31PMThe world’s first-ever “living” AI art museum has opened its doors in Los Angeles – and it will make you feel less like you’re walking through an exhibition and more like you’ve stepped straight into the future. Waiting outside DATALAND, I was brimming with curiosity about what the world’s first AI museum would look like inside, with my mind conjuring images straight out of a sci-fi movie.A few steps in and it became clear I certainly wasn’t far off. Artist Renderings of Machine Dreams: Rainforest, DATALAND. Picture: © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALANDThe innagual exhibition ‘Machine Dreams: Rainforest’ begins with an interactive kiosk where you activate your digital pass and receive a rundown of what you’re about to experience when you step through the doors and into what feels like an entirely different dimension. In the kiosk, each visitor is asked to stand in front of an illuminated box, where you are presented with a smart diffuser device to wear around your neck and a biosensor wristband, which you can choose to take with you throughout the museum. The smart diffuser device releases different corresponding scents as you walk through each room, including the smell of rain on dry earth and the freshness of new plant growth, making the experience that much more immersive. Others you may likenewsnewsA map of DATALAD’s five gallery spaces. Picture: © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALAND.Installation view of Machine Dreams: Rainforest, DATALAND, Los Angeles, CA, June 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027. © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALAND. Photo: Refik Anadol StudioMeanwhile, the wristband gathers your body’s response to the art - your heartrate, tempeate and movement - and feeds it into the data painting as you move through the exhibition. On-screen, I could see my data represented by a purple dot which had been randomly assigned the initials ET – which felt very fitting for the sci-fi-like space. Installation view of Machine Dreams: Rainforest, DATALAND, Los Angeles, CA, June 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027. © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALAND. Photo: Refik Anadol StudioI am told the exhibition - running until January 31 2027 - uses a custom AI model, based on data from 16 global rainforests, to create a truly jaw-dropping immersive art experience.It’s all very mind-blowing.The first-of-its-kind omni-sensory museum is led by media artists Refik Anadol and Efsun Erkılıc. It opened in June inside The Grand LA, in Los Angeles, the Californian city known as the ‘Creative Capital of the World’.“For 5000 years humans have been emotionally moved by artworks, but the relationship has always flowed in one direction,” Anadol said in a statement. “While developing DATALAND we asked ourselves, ‘Is it possible for artworks to feel us back?’”Installation view of Machine Dreams: Rainforest, DATALAND, Los Angeles, CA, June 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027. © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALAND. Photo: Refik Anadol StudiInstallation view of Machine Dreams: Rainforest, DATALAND, Los Angeles, CA, June 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027. © 2026 Refik Anadol Studio on behalf of DATALAND. Photo: Refik Anadol StudioContinuing my journey – it now made sense what Anadol was asking. I headed over to the data pavilion, which features eighty-four synchronised projectors and a 200-channel spatial soundscape. Here visitors’ heartbeats help shape the artwork.Next is the Latent Gallery where pritority ticket holders can try Data.Chocolate, which “translates machine-generated concepts, derived from immense datasets of cacao genetics and the Amazon rainforest, into an avant-garde, four-piece tasting collection”. My purple ‘ET’ tracker showed my movements in the room. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auData.Chocolate is inspired by the cocoa in the rainforest. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auThen it’s onto the Infinity Room “where the boundaries of the physical space dissolve”, and finally The Sanctuary, where you can step back and take in a stunning 30-foot data portrait generated by the audience’s collective emotional temperature.Admittedly, the idea of the biosensor wristband felt a little odd, perhaps even freaky at first but I quickly became fascinated with how it was capturing my reactions to the art and my movements on the screen.Seeing other visitors’s dots also made me feel connected to the group as we went on a journey around the space together. DATALAND uses generative AI to create a truly jaw-dropping immersive art experience. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auAudience response to the art feeds directly back into the exhibition. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auDATALAND also assures that your data is automatically deleted after your visit unless you choose to save it on a physical souvenir disc. Overall, it was an extraordinary experience, and had me feeling optimistic and intrigued about the possibilities of AI that we can tap into in the future, which is evidently a lot closer than one would think. What else to do while you’re in LADataland isn’t the only incredible new experience that has popped up in LA in the last few months. A 20 minute drive away, in a very different type of museum, you’ll find a brand new exhibition that delves into an iconic part of Hollywood’s past. In the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, along LA’s Museum Row, the Marilyn Monroe exhibition celebrates the life and fame of Norma Jean. Running until February 28, 2027, the exhibition features hundreds of original objects, including photographs and letters, as well as some of the star’s famous costumes, including the rarely exhibited pink dress from her 1953 box-office hit Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.There’s no question the exhibition is a must-see experience for those visiting LA. Exhibition Photography for Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Picture: Academy Museum Foundation/Emily ShurExhibition Photography for Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Picture: Academy Museum Foundation/Emily ShurExhibition Photography for Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Picture: Academy Museum Foundation/Emily ShurLove cars?While you’re in the area, you can also check out the Petersen Automotive Museum, the world’s leading automotive museum, which showcases historic vehicles, futuristic supercars and Hollywood favourites like the DeLorean and Batmobile. Outside of museums, LA has plenty to offer, far beyond your typical celebrity experiences and palm tree-lined streets.In the heart of the city – West Hollywood – you can enjoy a mix of wellness spaces, shopping, comedic entertainment and iconic dining hotspots. The better news? As one of LA’s most walkable destinations, it’s easy to get around on foot so you can spend more time taking in the city sites and soaking up the year-round sunshine. Here are some of the must-see spots.Melrose Avenue The shopping district is iconic for a reason. Here you will find a diverse range of stores from independent boutiques, luxury designers, and some seriously incredible thrift stores, sprawled along a 10km street.For thrift store lovers, standouts included Wasteland, for funky vintage, modern and independent clothing, and Detoure, a viral influencer-sourced thrift store for affordable trendy pieces that feels like you’re sifting through a social media wardrobe. Word of warning: you will need to designate extra room in your suitcase if you plan on swinging by Melrose. My thrifted denim jacket and multiple handbags called for some desperate pyjama-related sacrifices to get them home in my luggage.Wasteland is a great spot for vunky vintage clothing. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auDetoure feels like sifting through an influencer’s wardrobe. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auThe Comedy Store After a day of shopping, you’ll want to check out The Comedy Store, the world-famous stand-up comedy club on Sunset Boulevard. Founded in 1972 by Elvis Presley’s long-time opening act Sammy Shore, his wife Mitzi and comedy writer Rudy DeLuca, The Comedy Store has become an iconic space for up and coming and famous comedians including Dave Chappelle, Ali Wong and Bill Burr. I checked out the Potluck Friends & Family show in The Original Room, where comedians get a chance totest out new material, before attending a headliner show in the Main Room where comedians like David Spade, Andrew Santino, Whitney Cummings had a packed room non-stop laughing in their seats. The world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. Picture: Google MapsSpa treatment For something more indulgent, LA is big on the “red carpet ready” wellness scene. Treat yourself to a relaxing beauty treatment at celebrity hotspot Ole Henriksen, whose clientele has included Kris Jenner and Vanessa Hudgens. The popular spa uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a range of treatments including massages, facials and body treatments, and would be the perfect stop on a girls’ or couples trip.I was fortunate enough to try out at the relaxing Red Carpet Facial, which included a HydraFacial™, LED lights and LHE microphoto facial, and neither myself or my skin will be forgetting it anytime soon. Treat yourself to a relaxing beauty treatment at Ole Henriksen. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auBoth Kris Jenner and Vanessa Hudgens have frequented the celeb hotspot. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auViral food Last but not least, West Hollywood’s incredible food scene is not to be missed. One place you’ll need to add to your list is Dialog Cafe, which is favoured by celebrities including Adam Sander, Seth Rogan and James Franco.The family-owned cafe plates up fresh, delicious food in a welcoming, buzzy environment just off Sunset Boulevard. Believe me when I say I wasn’t able to stop thinking about their signature beef tallow French fries the entire flight home back to Australia. Cinnamon lovers will also want to try out their viral Triple Chin Latte, which was originally released in collaboration with Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, but was so good it has become a popular fixture on its menu.Dialog’s viral Triple Chin Latte. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auThe beef tallow fries I still dream about. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auSpeaking of drinks, no trip to LA is complete without Erewhon’s famous smoothies. While on the more pricey side, the viral Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie with sea moss gel and collagen peptides, created in collaboration with Hailey Bieber, is fresh, not overly sweet and certainly viral for a reason.The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker on Sunset Strip also does some incredible latte art that’s so stunning you’ll feel bad taking a sip. Erewhon’s famous Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie with sea moss gel and collagen peptides. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auThe Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker is known for it’s beautiful latte art. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auFor something more fancy, there’s no shortage of options of fine-dining options, including The Casa Madera at the Valorian Hotel – an upscale coastal Mexican restaurant where you can enjoy an amazing dinner as the sun goes down right in the heart of the Sunset Strip. The Casa Madera is an upscale coastal Mexican restaurant right in the heart of the Sunset Strip. Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auAn incredible salmon and sweet corn puree which the staff kindly tailored to make gluten-free. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auOne of my favourites is Alba West Hollywood, right on Melrose Avenue – a trendy, Instagram-worthy restaurant that feels like stepping into an Italian holiday, which is popular for its buttery truffle agnolotti. Alba West Hollywood felt like stepping into an Italian holiday. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auThe buttery truffle agnolotti is a crowd favourite. Picture: Brielle Burns/Supplied to news.com.auIf you’re looking for somewhere to stay, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is an award-winning hotel conveniently located right in the heart of West Hollywood, just off Sunset Strip, making it easy to get around for food and night-life. More CoverageState makes huge AI move, first in AustraliaDavid HannantHow AI could boost Aussie living standardsBlair JacksonNamed in “The Top 15 Hotels in Los Angeles” for six years running, the hotel features spacious modern rooms, private balconies looking over the city and a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the LA skyline. For a mix of iconic experiences, from mind-blowing AI displays to sate of the art wellness, viral food and entertainment, West Hollywood is the holiday well-worth adding to the itinerary. 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