This summer, Christo encouraged visitors to walk on water with his latest off-the-scale installation. The man who wrapped the Reichstag joined the Italian islands of Monte Isola and San Paolo with the main town of Sulzano using 70,000sqm of shimmering yellow fabric. The Bulgarian-born is not the only one who took it to the max in 2016. We show you five artists who have created supersized works that you should visit this year.
This summer, Christo encouraged visitors to walk on water with his latest off-the-scale installation. The man who wrapped the Reichstag joined the Italian islands of Monte Isola and San Paolo with the main town of Sulzano using 70,000sqm of shimmering yellow fabric. The Bulgarian-born is not the only one who took it to the max in 2016. We show you five artists who have created supersized works that you should visit this year.
NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA
FIELD OF LIGHT
British artist Bruce Munro used 50,000 stems topped with frosted glass spheres to create Field of Light Uluru, a solar powered art installation at the base of Uluru. Covering 49,000sqm, this colourful blanket of flowers was designed to complement the iconic monolith. After all, Munro first sketched the work when on a road trip to Uluru in 1992, taking the installation around the world before finally setting up at his source of inspiration. The local community has shown its approval by naming the piece Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku, which means “looking at lots of beautiful lights” in Pitjantjatjara. On show till 31 March, 2017. Visit ayersrockresort.com.au
SUPERSIZE YOUR STAY Ayers Rock Resort has teamed up with local indigenous artists to offer dot painting workshops within its hotel. Visitors can learn about the different symbols used to depict the Creation stories, as well as have the chance to create their own work, which they can then take home as a one-of-akind souvenir.
NEVADA, USA
SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
If you thought Las Vegas was a cultural desert, think again. Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone has created a colourful modern-day Stonehenge in Ivanpah Valley. With their teetering formations, Seven Magic Mountains blurs the line between monumentality and instant destruction. Varying between 28 and 35 feet in height, these limestone boulders are reminiscent of the hoodoos (also known as fairy chimneys) that form naturally in the desert, yet sport the neon flashiness of their hedonistic neighbour. On show till 11 May, 2018. Visit sevenmagicmountains.com
SUPERSIZE YOUR STAY Head up from Ivanpah Valley to downtown Las Vegas, and make your way to the Bellagio, where, beyond the fountains and blackjack tables, you will find the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art within the hotel. Partnering with museums across the world, the gallery boasts a rotating selection of exhibitions, and offers art and wine appreciation evenings too. From now till 5 September, you can view famed portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh’s work. Visit bellagio.com
ROME, ITALY
TRIUMPHS AND LAMENTS
Artist William Kentridge has turned the grimy embankment walls lining Rome’s urban waterfront into a beautiful frieze. More than 500m long, Kentridge has erased the biological patina to reveal more than 80 figures up to 10m high, to tell the history of the Eternal City from past to present. The frieze, which was launched in April with a live theatrical performance, can be accessed between Ponte Sisto and Ponte Mazzini. “We are trying to find the triumph in the lament, and the lament in the triumph,” said Kentridge. The frieze will remain on display until Rome’s waterways reclaim it. Visit triumphsandlaments.com
SUPERSIZE YOUR STAY The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma near the Spanish Steps has invited local artists to curate each suite—each room of this 19th-century palace has up to three works by each artist. An art gallery consultant can also tell you more about the works.Visit thefirsthotel.com
SINGAPORE
TOTEM
Artist Chun Kai Feng has turned Singapore’s HDB benches into a star attraction at the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery at the National Gallery Singapore. The innovative artist turned the benches of yesteryear into a modern totem by stacking them on top of one another. The benches that are spotted around the void decks are usually made from concrete, but Chun decided to give them a more glossy appearance to match their slick skyscraper surroundings. Totem will be on show till September 2016.Visit nationalgallery.sg
SUPERSIZE YOUR STAY Book a staycation at The St. Regis Singapore. Not only does the hotel feature more than 70 works of art by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georgette Chen, but each day at 6pm, the St. Regis offers guests The Art of Living tour, which tells visitors more about the collection. Visit stregissingapore.com
SHANGHAI, CHINA
CHILDHOOD DREAM
Italian street artist Millo flew to Shanghai to create his latest jawdropping art work—an 18mhigh mural that decorates the side of a school in Pudong. The giant piece was commissioned by Art+, a programme that is bringing art to developing areas of China. Millo chose to incorporate the Koi fishes in his work as they not only represent fortune, but also the chance for people to achieve whatever they want.
SUPERSIZE YOUR STAY Book a stay in the Jumeriah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai. This hotel offers the Lobby Art Tour—it includes an iPod Nano for guests filled with information on the works that can be found in the hotel. Pieces include the Portrait of President Mao by Chen Yifei, Human Figures by Ren Bonian and Snowy Waves and Green Mountains by Xie Zhiliu. Visit jumeirah.com
