Incorporating contemporary art into the guest experience is a hallmark of the chic, hip Hotel Matilda, located on the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende.
Since its opening in 2010, the trademark of the 32-suite boutique property has been its focus on contemporary art by established and emerging artists as a counterpoint to its location in the 500-year-old colonial town and Unesco Heritage site that it calls home.
The Hotel Matilda unveiled an interior design at its opening that resembled an art gallery. That focus on art has grown throughout the years, in part due to Tennessee businessman and longtime San Miguel homeowner Harold Stream III, the hotel developer, owner, art collector and patron of the arts.
Stream named the hotel for his mother who, in the 1940s, was painted by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. A reproduction of that painting, called "The Archer," hangs in the hotel living room, a comfortable gathering space that replaces what would be the lobby in other hotels.
Artwork by Miguel Angel Ruiz can be found at the hotel.
To celebrate its fifth anniversary this year, the hotel is showcasing paintings and sculptures from Stream's private collections as well as bringing together artists whose works are part of the hotel's permanent collection.
A year-round Hotel Matilda Art Tour was introduced in March that offers guests and visitors the opportunity to view the hotel's collection with insight into the works from curators and hotel staff.
"The goal since opening was to create an experiential atmosphere that is inspiring, fun and even whimsical, such as the wallpaper of hundreds of nudes in the lounge bathroom, a trio of riotous bronze masks on the lounge patio and a collage over the fireplace inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s ‘Garden of Earthly Delights,’” said Bruce James, hotel director.
Public spaces throughout the 32-suite property are filled with dramatic works of art from international artists.
"What we are doing is adding creative and colorful layers to the art experience at Hotel Matilda and making this year a celebration of our artistic soul,” James said.
He said that guests have a more personal and intimate experience with the art on view inside the hotel, at the pool, near the spa and in the restaurant than that would have at any art gallery.
“Having works of art all around you when you are sitting in the library or having lunch at our Moxi restaurant is completely different and infinitely more friendly than viewing art in a museum,” he said.
The Hotel Matilda is located at:
Aldama 53, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
No comments:
Post a Comment