Pullman, international upscale brand of the AccorHotels Group, unveiled the winner of its “Artist in Residence” programme, inspired by the recent Our World is Your Playground campaign, and in partnership with Wallpaper* magazine during an exhibition of the winner’s work on September 3rd at Pullman London St Pancras.
The event was the culmination of a global competition calling upon creatives from various artistic disciplines to submit concepts of the content they would create during a week in residence at the hotel, based on the Pullman-inspired theme Our World is Your Playground.
During the evening, the winner Louisa Gagliardi, graphic designer and illustrator from Switzerland, exhibited the spectacular concept she created during her week-long artistic residency at the hotel in August 2015. A short video documenting the creative process, development of the artistic pieces and coverage of the event will be available here from September, 18th : www.wallpaper.compullmanhotels
A CELEBRATION OF CONTEMPORARY CREATIVITY
Chosen from a group of 10 talented finalists, Gagliardi’s concept featured a stylized reflection of her surroundings, using real physical objects and environments that she then digitally manipulated to portray the context of reality in her own visual language. Gagliardi created a series of digital compositions directly inspired by recognizable objects in the hotel, and the images were then displayed in the locations and rooms from which they came.
“The digital and physical worlds are Louisa’s playground, and Pullman London St Pancras provided the perfect inspiration,” said Xavier Louyot, Senior Vice President Marketing EMEA, AccorHotels Luxury & Upscale brands. “We are so pleased to welcome Louisa into the #PullmanLife and showcase her contemporary artistic edge.”
AN INSPIRED ARRAY OF DESIGN EXPRESSION
Ten finalists submitted their work: Hanna Putz & Adrian Buschmann; Liam Stevens; Rebecca Scheinberg; Overlap; Daniel Clarke; Marko Righo; Richard Kolker; Kira Freije; and Simon Heijdens. The finalists’ design submissions can be viewed on the dedicated online platform.
The prestigious judging panel was tasked with selecting a creative that met the highest levels of criteria, including choosing an individual with talent, an original style and eye for detail and visual impact. The selection was strongly influenced by the presentation of an original concept aligning with the Our World is Your Playground theme; the artist capable of telling a story, interpreting the experience of staying in the hotel and expressing that through their work.
The judging panel included: Sarah Douglas, Wallpaper* creative director; Joe Scotland, House of Voltaire director; Xavier Louyot, SVP Marketing EMEA, AccorHotels Luxury & Upscale brands ; and artist Howard Tangye.
“Louisa delighted us with her unique interpretation of Pullman’s ‘Our World is Your Playground’ theme,” said Sarah Douglas, Wallpaper* Creative Director. “Her exploration and working experience during the week-long residency found her taking inspiration from the hotels’ rooms and common spaces, its interiors and furniture, ambiance and textures. But she also picked up on the smaller details, playing with size and perspective to generate a collection of modern, impactful and witty artworks that tell the story of her stay and create a rich and interactive artistic exchange with the hotel’s guests.”
OUR WORLD IS YOUR PLAYGROUND: A UNIQUE THEME IN A VIBRANT ENVIRONMENT
This unique theme is at the heart of the brand’s new tagline “Pullman Hotels & Resorts – Our World is Your Playground” ) and first television campaign for 2015. The recently unveiled spot is stylish and modern and depicts the hero, Pullman’s ‘global nomad,’ moving through life in a series of swift encounters, both personal and professional, and ensconced in the pursuit of the work-life blend. He crosses days, borders and time zones with success, and he is at once independent and connected with others.
PULLMAN HOTELS: IN TOUCH WITH CREATIVITY
The Pullman London St Pancras new “Artist in Residence” programme is part of Pullman’s ongoing commitment to contemporary art, and aims to inspire creative types to work from a space away from their usual environment and obligations.
Pullman Hotels & Resorts have a global reputation for being situated in vibrant destinations and the brand has an incredible commitment to design and creativity, contemporary art and local culture which makes it the perfect environment for an 'Artist in Residence' programme.
Pullman offers guests 'new experiences, new acquaintances, new ideas', an ethos that also aligns extremely well with the notion of an 'Artist in Residence'. This concept makes for an original and creative collaboration, continuing and broadening the Pullman Hotels & Resorts appeal and legacy with a highly influential and inspiring demographic.
Wallpaper.com, as the definitive design destination for web users around the globe, thrives on creating partnerships with like-minded brands that promote and support up-and-coming contemporary creatives. Further information about the Our World is Your Playground ‘Artist in Residence’ can be found on wallpaper.com and will be featured in the November 2015 print issue of Wallpaper* magazine.
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