InterContinental Hotels & Resorts unveils new art installation in collaboration with British artist Claire Luxton at InterContinental London Park Lane

The Elegance of Worldliness’ at InterContinental London Park Lane is a commemorative reflection on the brand’s rich heritage and iconic hotels globally

Denham, United Kingdom, 2021-Dec-09 — /Travel PR News/ — In celebration of its 75th anniversary, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts today (08 DECEMBER 2021) unveils ‘The Elegance of Worldliness’, an exciting new art installation in collaboration with up-and-coming British artist Claire Luxton. More than an exploration of beauty and colour, the campaign is a celebration of travel, wanderlust, and time, inspired by distinctive InterContinental destinations around the world, and the glamour and exhilaration that comes with discovery.

A contemporary multi-disciplinary artist, working with photography, installation, poetry and painting, Claire Luxton’s visionary work will transform the façade of the iconic InterContinental London Park Lane with large-scale physical and digital artworks paying homage to the brand’s global journey from the first, to now the world’s largest, luxury hotel brand. The art installation can be experienced for the entire month from 8th December 2021.

‘The Elegance of Worldliness’ is expressed through a variety of motifs representing some of the destinations where the InterContinental brand has established a presence in its 75-year history. Portrayed through Luxton’s signature flora and fauna; birds, butterflies, and botanicals, native to distinct parts of the world, are woven into natural, intertwining greenery, reflecting a sense of discovery and exploration, and embodying the desire and curiosity of the global traveller.

Motifs include a large South American parrot, the blue and yellow macaw, representing Brazil where the first InterContinental hotel opened in Belem, and a North American corn lily plant, also known as Indian basket grass, which pays tribute to InterContinental The Willard in Washington, D.C. where Martin Luther King Jnr. famously made the final touches to his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. The installation’s Bird-of-Paradise flower, named after Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom, highlights the royal significance of InterContinental London Park Lane, the location (formerly 145 Piccadilly) where Queen Elizabeth spent much of her childhood.

Speaking on the partnership, Claire Luxton said, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to mark its 75th anniversary with this unique art installation. Travelling is especially important to my work as I draw inspiration from places, cultures, and stories. The InterContinental brand stands for everything I love about travel – discovery through immersion into beautiful destinations accompanied by the most gracious hosts. ‘The Elegance of Worldliness’ keeps to my quintessential natural wildlife aesthetic, using it to signify the global breadth of the InterContinental brand, and its 75 years of opening doors to new places and cultures.”

Tom Rowntree, Vice President, Global Luxury Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts commented, “We were the very first international luxury hotel brand, a true pioneer in the industry. Today, we have more than 200 hotels in some of the world’s most exciting destinations and are looking forward to the next 75 years of continued innovation in delivering the best of luxury travel. Claire Luxton’s modern and energetic work brings to life the delight of discovering beautiful places and the elegance of the InterContinental brand. We’re delighted to partner with Claire for this art installation, with many more exciting plans in the works for 2022.”

Members of the public are invited to enjoy ‘The Elegance of Worldliness’ – a 20 metres projection and a 40 metres window installation at InterContinental London Park Lane, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London from 8th December 2021, with additional activity to take place from January 2022. Aspects of Luxton’s work will also be available to global travellers through an interactive social media filter, available through Claire’s Instagram (open link on mobile device) and QR codes on the window installation.

For more information on the InterContinental 75th Diamond Anniversary, visit intercontinental.com/75thanniversary

#InterContinentalLife

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has nearly 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo

Premium: voco Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels

Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels

Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About ‘The Elegance of Worldliness’

The Elegance of Worldliness installation

‘The Elegance of Worldliness’ is an exploration of beauty and colour, as well as an experience of travel, wanderlust and time. The artwork celebrates the journey of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts over the past 75 years, from the very first hotel in Belem, Brazil, to new and exciting places, from Barcelona to Boston, and Beppu to Beijing. Through Claire Luxton’s signature birds, butterflies and botanicals, the installation weaves together a unique ecosystem that captures the beauty and energy of these far-flung global destinations and represents the magic of travel and discovery.

Some highlights from the installation include:

MOTIF	NATIVE TO	DESCRIPTION	REPRESENTATION
Blue and Yellow Macaw	South America	Macaws are known as the giants of the parrot world. They are loved for their vibrant colours and often symbolise lasting relationships as they form a bond and mate for life.	In 1949, the first InterContinental opened as the Hotel Grande in Belem, Brazil with 85 rooms. Today, the country is home to the elegant InterContinental Sao Paolo.
Cramer’s Eighty-Eight Butterfly ;		A charismatic species found from Mexico, through to Peru and Brazil which features a pattern that looks like a number 88.
Great Purple Emperor Butterfly	Japan	This breath-taking butterfly is also called Oh-Murasaki (Big Purple) in Japan, where it has been the national butterfly since 1957.	Known for bringing luxury hotels to new and exciting locations, InterContinental has grown a strong footprint in Japan with nine hotels, including the first international luxury resort in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous onsen destinations.
Indian Peafowl	South Asia	Celebrated as the national bird of India, the peacock represents royalty and wisdom, and is often depicted in Indian mythology and art.	The charming InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort is located by the Bay of Bengal in an ancient seaport which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Panther Chameleon	Africa/ Mauritius	Native to Madagascar, but also present in Mauritius, the panther chameleon is admired for itsvibrant colour shades and unique patterns.	A nod to InterContinental Mauritius and the soon to be opened InterContinental Luanda.
Emerald Swallowtail Butterfly	Southeast Asia	Found in forested regions in Southeast Asia, the Emerald Swallowtail Butterfly’s stunning green-blue colour varies with the light and direction of view.	InterContinental Hotels and Resorts can be found across key travel-worthy destinations in Southeast Asia, from pristine beaches in Phuket to heritage icons in Singapore.
Bird of Paradise Flower	South Africa/ UK	Indigenous to South Africa, the plant is named after the UK’s Queen Charlotte	This motif pays homage to InterContinental London Park Lane, where Queen Elizabeth spent much of her childhood.
Monstera	Mexico	Found in Panama and South Mexico	Bask in a tropical paradise at InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort & Spa or get pampered in the exclusive 6,500 square feet Diego Rivera presidential suite at InterContinental Presidente Mexico City.
Australia	Endemic to Australia, the shape and velvety fuzz covering this unusual tubular flower gives it the appearance of an animal’s paw.	From vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne to the idyllic beaches of Hayman Island and the Gold Coast, there’s a stunning InterContinental hotel or resort for any kind of stay in Australia.
Boat Orchid	Asia / Australia	A natural hybrid occurring in the wild from tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia	There are over 50 InterContinental hotels in China, including architectural marvel InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, the recently opened InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City and InterContinental Chengdu Paradise, one of the brands biggest hotels containing a full reconstruction of a medieval Chinese village!
Indian Basket Grass	North America	A North American species of plants in the corn lily family	Inspired by The Willard InterContinental, Washington D.C. where Martin Luther King Jnr. famously made the finishes touches to his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.
Moluccella	Mediterranean	Native to Central and Southwestern Asia as well as the Mediterranean	One of the brand’s most iconic properties is the InterContinental Carlton Cannes, where Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III of Monaco during the filming of “To Catch a Thief.” (Several scenes of this classic were filmed at InterContinental Carlton Cannes).

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts makes travel alluring, with insights from 75 years of experience. Each of our properties provides a gateway to the glamour of the InterContinental Life. As a brand, we aim to embody global sophistication through our superior, understated service and exceptional amenities. What makes us truly different is the genuine interest we show our guests through personalised and attentive services. We offer our most valued guests signature VIP services through a dedicated InterContinental Ambassador programme and an exclusive Club InterContinental experience. We connect our well-travelled guests to what’s special about a destination, so they enjoy authentic local experiences that will enrich their lives. For more information and to book, visit www.intercontinental.com, and connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/intercontinental and Instagram www.instagram.com/intercontinental.

About Claire Luxton

Claire Luxton is a British contemporary multidisciplinary artist represented by MTArt Agency working with photography, installation, poetry, and painting. After receiving a BFA from Goldsmiths University of London, Luxton created a challenging series of self-portraits & sculptures, pushing her emotional and physical boundaries by becoming both the subject matter and the materiality.

Her work explores the delicate equilibrium between humans and nature, the ominous undercurrents of her work oscillates between constructed femininity and alluring vulnerability, seducing the viewer with intrigue and uncertainty. Luxton’s work draws on both the modern anxiety of society and the environment; each portrait, painting and accompanying poetry, becoming an exploration of isolation, desire and uncertainty.

In 2015 Luxton’s exploration of human fragility, physicality and the female form culminated in her first solo exhibition Avalon. This was followed by her second solo exhibition BOTANICA in 2017. The artist’s work is part of the impressive Artemezia Foundation in the United States and her work has also been shown in London, Miami and Singapore, including exhibits at The London Art Fair and Art Basel. Recently, Luxton has recently had her works selected for an exhibition on peace at the UN in New York.

About MTArt Agency

MTArt Agency is an award-winning talent and creative agency connecting visual artists with brands, cultural projects and collectors. Founded in 2015, MTArt Agency is the first B Corp® certified UK company within the art sector, using their expertise to make the world a better place. MTArt Agency is both a leading name in establishing artists and integrating art into the mainstream. For the artists who sign with the agency, MTArt covers studio costs, sells works, implements cultural & commercial partnerships and offers press exposure.

For further information please contact:

Lauren Thanomkiet
lauren.thanomkiet@ihg.com
+44 (0) 1895 512 663

Source: IHG

###

Subscribe to Notifications