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HALL Arts Hotel revealed today the details of its inaugural art collection, which spotlights emerging and established talent taking on topics that challenge personal introspection, social conversation, and provide hope to its guests through art. To commission these works of art, HALL Arts Hotel turned to two notable art curators to collaborate on the extensive collection. Curating artwork from today's most thought-provoking domestic and international artists for the hotel's public spaces, HALL Arts Hotel recruited former Chief Curator of the U.S. Department of State's Arts in Embassies Program Virginia Shore. Working alongside Shore is a longtime art advocate and HALL Group's Texas curator, Patricia Meadows, who selected local Dallas Arts District photography for all guest rooms and hallways. Using the power of art, Shore and Meadows create a sense of connection between guests and the world around them, while humanizing the surrounding spaces through the social topics the artworks navigate.
"Art is an integral piece of the HALL Arts Hotel. The expansive collection that Virginia and Patricia have curated is a testament to both the local and international, emerging and established artists that inspire us and will inspire our guests when the hotel opens this fall," said Craig Hall, founder and chairman of HALL Group.
Challenging Pause And Awareness In Public Spaces
Having worked with over 6,000 artists and installed more than 10,000 works in 200 embassies and consulates, Virginia Shore's bold art direction for HALL Arts Hotel is thoughtful, timely, and progressive. As the Chief Curator of the Arts in Embassies (AIE) Program, Shore led the first art acquisitions program for the U.S. State Department and founded their first biennial "Medal of Arts" award that has been awarded to notable artists including Julie Mehretu, Jeff Koons, Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Mark Bradford, Kehinde Wiley, Nick Cave, Pedro Reyes, Kiki Smith, Rachel Whiteread, and many others. Leveraging her worldly perspective and experience, Shore's intention for the HALL Arts Hotel's collection of work from contemporary living artists is to challenge universal conversations and celebrate the world around us.
"Much like the district it resides in, HALL Arts Hotel provides a platform for exceptional artists from Texas and beyond," says Shore. "The artists in the collection range from emerging to established with an awareness of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. There are several key works in the collection that address issues of today. The works are intended to inspire the viewer; they are subtly provocative and compelling. They pull us in and encourage conversation, as well as celebrate the world around us."
Beginning the conversation at the hotel entrance is Mexican artist Pedro Reyes, who is best known for his sculpture masterpieces that address social and political issues. Reyes, who won the 2018 Design Miami Visionary Award at Miami Art Week, is sculpting "Organoleptic," a large boulder with square perforations filled with carved pieces of stone that resemble the sensory organs. In this sculpture, the
facial carvings are placed in random areas and have the potential to change if one were to rearrange the carvings. "Organoleptic" is inspired by philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola's concept of man as being unfinished, therefore allowing man to assign and form his purpose and function in life. Defined as involving the use of the sensory organs, "Organoleptic" encourages viewers to evaluate or sense how they see themselves and the world around them.
"Organoleptic is meant to inspire the human condition," says Reyes. "Aristotle believed that the construction of the world and people's understanding of it was only informed by their perceptions, specifically how they viewed the world through senses. This piece reminds us that we are a product of our actions and perceptions."
Drawing guests to the HALL Arts Hotel's reception desk, Lava Thomas's "Resistance Reverb: Movements 1 & 2" hangs high above guests, commanding attention as a prominent fixture in the main lobby. The immersive installation features hundreds of pink tambourines that speak to the current political and social environment in the country. A nod to the historical use of tambourines by protestors and advocates during times of activism, the color and instrument evoke the Women' Marches in 2017 and other feminist activities that inspire Thomas. Fragments of political speeches by women throughout U.S. history written on the pink surfaces fuse the piece into one single statement of resilience, resistance, and reclamation. The mass of circular forms come together in solidarity to serve as a metaphor for both praise and protest—actions that encourage a sense of empowerment, healing, and hope in times of chaos.
"Creating work for Dallas' Arts District indeed is a full-circle moment," says Thomas. "Having roots in Texas that reach as far back as slavery, the theme of people coming together in a movement of justice for shared humanity is familiar throughout my work. However, my work is not overtly political, nor does it announce its intention blatantly, which I think is an effective way to get the attention of people who would not normally be inclined to discuss the topics I highlight."
The hotel also features Antonius-Tín Bui, a queer, gender-nonbinary, Vietnamese-American artist based out of Houston. A child of two refugees, Bui's work explores the topics of intergenerational trauma, self- identification and how race relations affect culture.
"As an artist, no one has the choice to be a-political," says Bui. "I am privileged to be an artist and feel I have a duty to reframe history through my artwork."
For the HALL Arts Hotel project, Bui is designing an intricate papercut diptych that showcases a duo lifestyle. The work will depict a two-tone portrait of a multi-ethnic, queer subject. To Bui, the work symbolizes the hyphen that connects duo ethnicities (e.g., Vietnamese-American) in a modern world. The hyphen, which Bui also views as an ever-changing bridge, joins identities that seem isolated and explores the journey one takes in navigating those identifications. The bridge is also a way to rethink those spaces as a personal utopia that the queer and other communities should all experience.
"I'm excited to be working with HALL Arts Hotel because they are making a genuine attempt to merge and emphasize the importance of art, culture, and activism into everyday living," says Bui. "The art- forward concepts the hotel has adopted encourages people to bring forth art into daily routine and schedules."
Dallas native Alicia Eggert, an interdisciplinary artist whose work focuses on the relationship between language, image and time, is also contributing a flash of introspection to the robust collection.
"It's exciting to have my work placed in Dallas, primarily because of how much Texas is changing as a state," says Eggert. "My work speaks to the current general social environment, and I hope it inspires guests to pause for a moment and consider the possibilities."
For this collection, Eggert's "All That is Possible is Real" neon sign flashes on the second floor of the HALL Arts Hotel. The sign changes between two statements: "All that is real is possible" and "All that is possible is real." Inspired by Immanuel Kant's critique of Pure Reason, the flashing neon sign is meant to prompt people to think not just about the way the world is, but about the way the world could be.
"People don't often think of Dallas as an art destination, but I truly believe that HALL Arts Hotel's expansive art programming will contribute to putting Dallas on the map," says Eggert. "Dallas has a vibrant art scene, and as a city, it does well in supporting local artists. Hall Arts Hotel looks to share in that commitment, and I look forward to seeing this collection continue the cultural momentum of the city."
A Local'S Perspective To The Dallas Arts District
Creating a local connection through art, Dallas arts advocate Patricia Meadows and HALL Arts Hotel led a juried photography competition for new, emerging and experienced Dallas-based photographers last spring called "Through the Lens: Dallas Arts District." The competition encouraged artists to submit images that captured the energy and life of the Dallas Arts District. An esteemed local jury—which included Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas Museum of Art Director Agustin Arteaga, Nasher Sculpture Center Director Jeremy Strick, Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University Dean Sam Holland, major contemporary art collector Howard Rachofsky, Virginia Shore, and Meadows—selected 91 winning photographs from 57 local photographers. The winning images will be featured in a hardbound coffee table book that will be sold at venues throughout the Dallas Arts District and HALL Arts Hotel. All gross proceeds from the book sales will go directly to the Dallas Arts District Foundation.
"The 'Through the Lens' competition is unique because it gave the Dallas community, regardless of artist background and experience, the opportunity to contribute in investing in the Arts District," says Meadows. "We judged over 1,000 entries, and it was beautiful to see the Arts District through the perspective of the many photographers who participated."
Meadows then selected images from the competition that captured the essence of the Dallas Arts District to help connect the guest rooms and hallways to the district and Dallas art community. Amongst those selected for the hotel's guest room floors include Sharen Bradford's "Splendid Isolation III," which highlighted the beauty of movement and expression through dance, and Michael Nguyen's "BANDALOOP," which captured a dance troupe's performance as they were careening off the side of the HALL Arts building. Other selections captured life's more subtle, sweet moments—like Sarah Hamilton's submission of her daughter painting at the Dallas Museum of Art.
The full list of artists contributing to the art collection at HALL Arts Hotel include Kristin Baker, Margaret Bakke, Amy Boone-McCreesh, Antonius Bui, Jessica Cebra, Mei Mei Chang, John Robert Craft, Nekisha, Durrett, Alicia Eggert, Najla El Zein, Spencer Finch, Elizabeth Graeber, Marshall Harris, Tina Hejmantek, Christopher Karmabikis, Chandi Kelley, Avish Khebrezadeh, Eva Lundsager, Stephen Miotto, Paul Morrison, Yamini Nayar, Ding Ren, Pedro Reyes, Eva Rothschild, Thomas Saraceno, Lincoln Schatz, Ben
Skinner, Xochi Solis, Hannah Spector, Lava Thomas, Jessica Van Brakle, Allison Watt, Carrie Mae Weems, James Welling, Julie Wolffe, Clare Woods, and Cerith Wyn Evans.
HALL Arts Hotel opens fall 2019 and will be a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of authentic and uncommon hotels that embody the very essence of their destinations. The hotel will be managed by Latitudes: Lifestyles by Crescent Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Fairfax, Va. and be adjacent to HALL Arts Residences, a luxury 28-story residential tower slated to open in early 2020. For more information on the hotel and art program, please visit www.hallartshotel.com.
About HALL ARTS HOTEL
Developed by Dallas-based HALL Group, HALL Arts Hotel is an art-forward boutique concept set to debut fall of 2019 in Dallas' vibrant Arts District. Channeling the energy and vitality of its surroundings, HALL Arts Hotel offers guests an inspiring stay, where the hospitality is new, fresh, relevant and personal. Located at 1717 Leonard Street, the hotel will feature 183 contemporary guest rooms, 6,000 square feet of private event space and two distinctive restaurants, each a culinary exploration with a menu as carefully curated as the art collection adorning the walls. At HALL Arts Hotel, guests can expect an artful, one-of-a-kind experience. To learn more about HALL Arts Hotel, please visit please visit https://hallarts.com/hotel/.
About HALL GROUP
Founded in 1968, Dallas-based HALL Group is owned by founder and chairman Craig Hall and family. The diversified company is made up of several subsidiary brands, including: HALL Park, the 17-building, 162- acre office park in Frisco, Texas; HALL Arts, the three-phase, five-acre, mixed-use development in the Dallas Arts District that includes KPMG Plaza at HALL Arts, HALL Arts Hotel and HALL Arts Residences; HALL Structured Finance, the entrepreneurial, value-add direct private lender to the real estate industry; the HALL Collection, an immense collection of local and international art pieces located throughout HALL Group's properties; HALL Wines, located in St. Helena and Rutherford, producing highly-rated Bordeaux varietals; WALT Wines, producer of handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals; BACA Wines, HALL's newest brand producing Zinfandel; and SENZA hotel, a Napa Valley boutique hotel and luxury resort. For more information, visit www.hallgroup.com and visit us on Facebook.
About Virginia Shore
An independent curator and advisor, Virginia Shore is an expert in contemporary and modern art in all media. In addition to her work with the Hall group she is working on museum projects in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Shore founded the art commissioning and acquisitions division during her tenure at the State Department. Overseeing the curation and commissioning of collections to include international artists, she has curated more than 200 international exhibitions for public and private collections, and overseen dozens of site-specific commissions. Ms. Shore is an arts advocate and a frequent lecturer and panelist with talks/presentations at the Phillips Collection, the Tate Modern, the Arts Club in Chicago, Smithsonian Associates, the Aspen Institute and numerous embassies worldwide.
About Patricia Meadows
Patricia Meadows is well-known throughout Texas as a curator, exhibition organizer, art consultant, juror and lecturer. She has co-founded arts organizations and served on national and statewide boards that advocate and support the talents and needs of Texan artists. She has organized and curated hundreds of exhibitions both nationally and regionally. Patricia has worked as a curator and consultant with Craig and Kathryn Hall for more than 20 years. She was also the curator for the selection,
placement, and installation for the Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Park in Frisco, Texas and the Texas Sculpture Walk at HALL Arts Hotel.
About Crescent Hotels & Resorts
Crescent Hotels & Resorts is an award winning, nationally recognized, top-3 operator of hotels and resorts. Crescent currently operates over 100 hotels, resorts & conference centers in the US and Canada. Crescent is one of the few elite management companies approved to operate upper-upscale and luxury hotels under the brand families of Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG. Crescent also operates a collection of legendary independent lifestyle hotels and resorts under the Latitudes Collection umbrella. Crescent's clients include premiere REITs, private equity firms and major developers. For more information, please visit http://www.crescenthotels.com/ & http://www.latitudesbycrescent.com/ or connect with Crescent on LinkedIn. http://www.crescenthotels.com/ & or connect with Crescent on LinkedIn.
About The Leading Hotels of the World, LTD. (Leading Hotels).
Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, Leading Hotels is a collection of uncommon luxury hotels. Rooted in the locations in which they are found, members embody the very essence of their destination. Through varied styles of architecture and design and distinct cultural experiences enhanced by passionate people, the collection is for the curious traveler looking for their next discovery. Established in 1928 by several influential and forward-thinking European hoteliers, Leading Hotels has a nine-decade-long commitment to providing remarkable, authentic travel experiences. The company selects only hotels that meet its high standards for quality and distinctiveness, resulting in a curated portfolio of hotels united not by what makes them the same, but the details that make them different. Leaders Club is the company's exclusive tiered guest loyalty program, consisting of like-minded travelers seeking uncommon travel experiences. The program provides its members with personalized service and exclusive travel benefits to enhance their stays at any Leading Hotel around the world. For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.
