Since its $10m street-art-inspired makeover last summer, J Plus Hotel by Yoo has lent an idiosyncratic flavour to the local hospitability scene, what with its eclectically furnished lobby and rooms (see our story here).
Tiled artwork dresses the facade of J Plus Hotel
Partnering different art institutions for a series of pop-up exhibitions in 2015, the Art@JPlushk art space on the ground floor sees the hotel venturing into even greater artistic grounds, establishing a break with the perception that hotels are nothing more than lodging to rest tired feet and souls after a night spent partying elsewhere.
Enlisting the expertise of Hong Kong-based Cat Street Gallery, the inaugural show opened on January 1 and features three prominent multimedia artists.
Replicate by Jason Sims
Leading the trio is Australian-based Jason Sims, whose mesmerising installations manipulate light and space to conjure a world which provokes viewer to challenge conventional notions of perspective in surprising ways. In “Replicate”, the rays of red light appear to be suspended in air up close, simultaneously drawing the viewer in, while befuddling his or her vision.
Pioneer Italian Transexual by Zhibago Duncan
Berlin-based Zhibago Duncan brings his distinct Berlin flair to the exhibition. His obsession with the futuristic and apocalyptic are distilled in two of the artworks on display, “Hang on Sloopy” (Double) and “Pioneer Italian Transexual”, where hotly-hued letters are splashed atop monochromatic prints.
Trailing a path in the art world for their camera-less photography, husband-and-wife duo Rob and Nick Carter poses the question: How do we look at art? In their art. Three of their signature works, “868: Benzimidazolone Orange”, “879: Dioxazine Violet”, and “875: Cobalt Bermuda Blue, will be on display.
The hotel also features a new seating area designed by artist and fabric guru, Stern Rockwell
“We are delighted to partner in this inaugural J Plus Hotel by YOO pop-up exhibition,” comments Mandy d’Abo, founder of Cat Street Gallery. “These artworks were chosen for the first series because we felt they were a perfect fit for the hotel and are contemporary and fun, whilst still retaining memorable qualities and an air of seriousness.”
