Art In Hotels
Urban Art & Graffiti
Street art and public art coexist in the realm of public space, and often share similar goals of bringing awareness to social and political issues. But while public art is fully accepted and considered culturally enriching, street art is illegal and labelled as vandalism. With artists like Banksy winning international acclaim it seems high time that we reassess its status. In 2008, the Tate Modern’s iconic river façade served as the first major public museum display of street art in London. Subsequently, we have seen a rise in urban artists being invited to transform buildings into works of art. Spain’s government embraced graffiti and found a way to use it to its advantage, one example being Farnanza, a small
depopulated village 50km north of Valencia that was transformed into the capital of street art.
As experiential travel gains in popularity, luxury hotels are incorporating original artwork into their spaces to create lasting impressions and differentiate themselves from the competition. With The Ellerman House in Cape Town displaying what was dubbed “the most representative South African art collection in existence” it’s safe to say that the lines between hotels and museums and galleries are getting blurred. More and more of the luxury hotels take on a role of cultural ambassadors, hosting temporary and permanent exhibitions of local and international artists. The luxury Ritz-Carlton, Abama resort in Tenerife can now boast not only its impressive Michelin starred restaurants and world renowned golf courses, but also a stunning display of artworks from our very own artists - John Myatt, Marvel, Ronnie Wood and Bob Dylan. If you’re not sure where you can find the perfect balance of cultural enrichment and luxurious relaxation, this might be just the right place for you.
The work of artists such as Temper is yet more proof (should such proof still be necessary) that graffiti has earned its rightful place as a legitimate art genre. Art is breaking away from the confines of museums and galleries and becoming more prominent in public spaces, where it has the power to transform its environment, express community values and act as a catalyst for important conversations. Long may it continue.
“Art is too important not to share”. - Romero Britto
Temper, ‘Pablo’
Abama Resort hotel in Tenerife.
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