Arlo Hotels, an independent, experience-driven lifestyle hotel brand, is proud to announce the launch of Arlo’s Living Room Gallery, a new art program in collaboration between its three Manhattan properties (SoHo, Midtown and NoMad) and curator Jasmine Arakel. The program will feature a rotating selection of fine arts from some of New York City’s celebrated art galleries, including pieces from recognized artists Damien Hirst, Tyler Shields, Ewa Bathelier and Brock DeBoer. The works have been carefully selected to complement each hotel’s aesthetics, culture and identity.
Arakel, who has had an extensive career as a creative producer, collaborated with the Arlo team to select pieces that will provoke and entertain guests and visitors as they make their way through the hotel’s public spaces. This unique initiative allows people to experience and appreciate collector-grade art in a welcoming and accessible environment.
The program will kick off with a special launch event at Arlo SoHo on Wednesday, April 19, from 5-8 p.m., featuring a champagne reception to view the pieces followed by a discussion led by guest speakers, including Jasmine Arakel and Isabelle George, representing the gallery Guy Hepner, who has lent the current pieces on display. This event is free to attend, but seating is limited. Attendees can reserve their spots via Eventbrite.
“This will not be your typical hotel art experience,” explained Arakel. “Our goal is to showcase the highest-quality, rare artworks from iconic artists in a space that is accessible to everyone. While these pieces would normally be in select renowned galleries for collectors to peruse and purchase, we’ve brought them to a space where more people can experience them in person and perhaps even take them home.”
Arlo SoHo’s debut collection begins with works by the iconic artist Damien Hirst, who dominated the British art scene in the 1990s. Through his installations, sculptures, drawings and paintings, he explores themes such as religion, mortality and desire. “The Empresses (H10)” (2022) is a series of five crimson-red prints depicting carefully composed images of butterflies that were also released as an NFT series for HENI Editions. On loan from Guy Hepner Gallery, the prints are laminated giclée on aluminum composite with screen-printed glitter, each named after an empress of notable reign: “H10-2 Nūr Jahān,” “H10-3 Theodora” and “H10-4 Suiko.” They are showcased in The Living Room at Arlo SoHo, complemented by wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that bring in natural light.
Also on loan from gallery Guy Hepner are “Match” (2020) and “Flower Girl” (2021) from the Provocateur series by American photographer Tyler Shields, best-known for his unparalleled, controversial and shock-evoking photographs of Hollywood celebrities such as Emma Roberts, Demi Lovato and Mischa Barton. The works are hung on wood-paneled walls in Arlo SoHo’s lobby.
Arlo Midtown, which places guests center stage in the Theater District, features designs inspired by the nearby Garment District, with abstract, overscale interpretations of stitching, tailoring and flowing fabrics. The hotel’s first series of art pieces includes works by Polish artist Ewa Bathelier, whose signature acrylic-on-cloth paintings are a clear reflection of her experience as a theater costume and set designer. Having spent her adult life in France, Bathelier focuses on one of the country’s most famous cultural exports, ballet, specifically ballet attire. Light, free-floating and symbolic, the primavera dresses, leotards and tutus she depicts are contrasted by their monochrome backgrounds, though they conspicuously lack the bodies meant to inhabit them. Bathelier’s “White Dress” (2018) and “Tuscan White Dress” (2020) are on loan from Galleria Ca’ d’Oro and hang on the tall, elegant walls of Arlo Midtown.
In the heart of Manhattan, Arlo NoMad neighbors the Empire State Building with easy access to everything for which New York City is famous. The hotel lobby will exhibit four basketballs and sixteen Nike sneakers designed in porcelain by Brock BeBoer, a Los Angeles-based sculptor, whose artistic process utilizes porcelain, historical motifs and surface treatments to recontextualize everyday objects, items from his past and objects of popular culture. The Instagram and collection-worthy pieces perfectly match Arlo NoMad’s vibe, bringing a piece of pop culture to the boutique property that delivers the best of NYC.
“Art has the power to transform spaces and create meaningful connections between people and their surroundings; and it is this meaningful connection that we aim to have within our public spaces,” said Jimmy Suh, chief commercial officer of Arlo Hotels. “When Jasmine shared her idea and the common vision, we wasted no time forming a partnership. With Jasmine’s expertise, knowledge, and network, we are able to heighten not only the design appeal of our hotels with gallery-caliber art, but along the way heighten the emotional and the experiential value for our guests and locals, alike.”
Each of Arlo Hotels’ Manhattan properties will switch out the artworks every few months, offering guests a new experience every time they visit. As guests make their way throughout the hotel’s Living Room art galleries, they can scan the QR code under each piece, which will provide additional information and pricing, as all works on display are available for purchase. For more information about the program and Arlo Hotels, visit ArloHotels.com.
