2012-11-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — The popular bar at Hotel Bel-Air has added a dramatic new dimension to its design with the star-studded installation of life-size black-and-white celebrity images captured by renowned photographer/filmmaker Norman Seeff. The stunning images are the result of several photo sessions which Seeff conducted with the world’s most creative innovators and entertainers in the 1970s and ‘80s.
The new photo murals feature iconic black-and-white portraiture of Tina Turner (a stunning sequence of 6 images that’s 12 feet long), Mick Jagger, Ray Charles, John Belushi, Cher, and a then up-and-coming Steve Jobs, all dominating interior walls within the bar. This is the first time that Seeff is showcasing his work in a hotel setting.
“It is an honor and a thrill to feature the remarkable work of Norman Seeff at Hotel Bel-Air,” said Denise Flanders, the hotel’s general manager. “From his masterful portrayal of rock and roll royalty to his stunningly visual reminder of the genius of Steve Jobs, Norman Seeff’s work will be an unforgettable visual highlight of any guest’s visit to the bar.”
A lecture series hosted by Seeff is scheduled to take place once a quarter in the bar. At these informative and interactive events, which are offered complimentary and open to the public, Seeff uses his remarkable archive of film and video to illustrate how he used his photo sessions as way to explore the inner dynamics of creativity, both personally and with his subjects. The first event of the series occurred on Wednesday, November 14 from, 4pm to 5pm, with the next one slated for the first quarter.
“I am honored to show my images in such a beautiful environment,” said Seeff. “Working with Denise and her team over recent months has been a joyful experience and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I’m also thrilled to be sharing my exploration of creativity with the hotel’s guests”.
Long acclaimed as a master of rock and roll photography, Norman Seeff’s work has resulted from three decades of celebrity photo sessions — sessions which became legendary events in the 1970s and ‘80s, and which continue to this day. Seeff’s images have been featured on the covers of TIME Magazine, Rolling Stone, Esquire, Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine and more. His photo genius was featured in Apple’s famous “Think Different” campaign and on the back cover of Walter Isaacson’s recent biography of the late Steve Jobs.
In celebration of the new Norman Seeff photo display, the bar is introducing several commemoratively-named cocktails, all inspired by music of Seeff’s portrayed stars. Brown Sugar, Baby It’s Cold Outside and Run Run Rudolph for the holiday season, are just a few of the libations which will salute the new residents of the bar’s storied walls.
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Celebrities in black and white dominate the walls of The Bar at Hotel Bel Air with iconic imagery captured by photography legend Norman Seeff