This October, an Instagram pop-up exhibit will be opening in the King of Prussia Mall. The company running it, known as “Happy Place,” is widely renowned for opening these type of “pop-up” events around the country, where they attract tons of people to be photographed.
Despite it’s popularity, it does not seem to be getting much attention from Cabrini students. None of the students interviewed had even heard of this sort of event before. Desiree Konate, a freshman computer science major, when asked about her interest in the event, said, “I came across it, I’d do it, it wouldn’t be my main objective, but if I just saw it there.”
Photo courtesy of www.happyplace.me.
According to Happy Place’s website, the company was created by a man named Jared Paul because he believed that “our world today can use a lot more happiness.” It first opened up on Nov. 20, 2017. The mission of Happy Place seems to be to simply spread joy by giving patrons a fully immersive and sensory experience that can treasure perpetually through their pictures taken.
Chris Quaid, a criminology major at Cabrini, said he wouldn’t be particularly interested in going and also commented that the $30 price tag for a ticket was “too high.”
The experience is meant to take around an hour. Obviously, photography is not only allowed but encouraged, though selfie sticks and tripods are prohibited. Also, there is no re-entry allowed, so once you go through the exhibit, you must leave.
Photo courtesy of www.happyplace.me.
The company has been on a steady rise in popularity and success since its creation two years ago. Prior to this Philadelphia pop-up the company had very successful visits to Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It has also attracted quite a few celebrities including, Hilary Duff, Travis Barker, and Kourtney Kardashian.
Lauren Swint, a sophomore education major, had never heard of the event before either, but expressed a possible interest in going, saying that the price is good “for what it is.”
The exhibit has over 10 different rooms to take photos in, which include but are not limited to, an Upside-Down room, a Giant Rainbow room, and a Rubber Ducky Bathtub of Fun. For those who would like to check it out, tickets are $30 for an adult and $20 for a child and can be ordered on Happy Place’s website.
