The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.
Sir Francis Bacon
With Ann-Christine’s choice of topic — Weird and Wonderful — for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, we were reminded of a recent trip to Lexington, Kentucky, and a stay at 21c Museum Hotel. It’s not that the hotel was weird by any means, but the contemporary art both in the lobby and in the large museum on the second floor gave us pause.
For example, take a closer look at the above pigment print by David Scheinmann called Elvis/Marilyn created in 1993. From the information beside this larger-than-lifesize piece comes this description: “An uncanny double-portrait, Scheinmann’s work resembles Warhol’s Pop Art silkscreens of the rich and famous while also alluding to ongoing myths about Elvis evading death.” We can tell you this: it got our attention. And it’s no wonder we stood in front of it quite a while marveling at the likenesses of the two famous stars embodied in one portrait.
Another piece — an almost floor-to-ceiling portrait of Abraham Lincoln — also caught our attention, not so much that it was weird, but more that the technique was wonderful. Artist Djawid C. Borower’s Picture of a Dollar done in 2006 recreates the image seen on currency but on a grander scale.
And how did he create the watery quality on this portrait? By dragging a squeegee across the still-wet paint to form an abstract image.
Wonderful? We thought so.
But the one portrait that made us move even closer was this one: Barack Obama by Robert Silvers, a chromogenic print created in 2009.
By repositioning ourselves directly in front of the portrait, we could see up close thousands of individual photographs of Obama that created light, shadows, and intricate details of his facial features.
We should have been tipped off that this hotel was a special one when we checked in and noted two circular formations behind the desk, an art installation titled Face to Face with Death II by Spanish artist, Carlos Aires. So special, in fact, that we returned several times to see it from various perspectives.
A closer look revealed animals, people, and objects (weird and wonderful that they are) created from vinyl records. And when taken altogether, it’s truly a unique piece of art for greeting guests and introducing them to the wonders of 21c Museum Hotel Lexington.
For more entries in this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, head to Anne-Christine’s blog and check out the unusual scenes and objects. And let us know if you’ve seen some weird and wonderful art in your neck of the woods. We just might want to visit!
Travel weirdly and wonderfully,
Rusha & Bert
Amy
Wow… Excellent selections, Rusha! Thank you so much for the tour of this special museum.
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so welcome. And here’s hoping spring is just around the corner for you.
Alison
Wow these are so special, especially Barrack Obama, how clever. The Marilyn/Elvis is definitely weird and wonderful.
Great finds for this challenge
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look! This art definitely got our attention, and we stared at all of it, even the ones we weren’t fond of. It was an interesting exhibit.
Alison
🙂
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pattimoed
What a wonderful post, Rusha! You absolutely nailed this one! I love the art and the stories behind each of them. What a great collection in that hotel!
Oh, the Places We See
It’s only the tip of the iceberg! There’s an incredible amount of art here, and one reader told me this is typical of this hotel chain.
Thanks for taking a look and commenting. It was definitely weird yet wonderful!
kzmcb
Wonderful post! I found the artwork very interesting and your detail added extra layers. Thank you.
Oh, the Places We See
It was one of the more creative collections we’ve seen, especially since it was in a hotel rather than in a museum. Thanks for taking a look!!!
Rupali
A wonderful gallery Rusha.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It was an interesting place filled with art that made us look twice!!!
Wind Kisses
This was a very interesting find. I think La Posada in Winslow AZ may have some of this art as well. It is so engaging to visit and also to see this through your eyes…and travels Donna.
Oh, the Places We See
We loved the art. It’s not what we would buy for our home, but the pieces were unique and interesting . . . just as art should be.
Wind Kisses
Yes, something to ponder is always wonderful.
I. J. Khanewala
Interesting place you seem to have found! I like the Francis Bacon quote as well
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for the compliment! This hotel has quite the collection of interesting art, and I’ve heard from a friend that another in this chain of hotels has similar art. You just never know what you’ll find when you book a room!!
WanderingCanadians
It’s really amazing how art can be so creative and weird. I love it.
Oh, the Places We See
Sometimes we’re kind of turned off by it, but then we take a second look. Usually it’s the technique or the new approach that makes us look again!
maristravels
I love ‘oddities’ like these so a welcome post. Quite a lot to look at and certainly a lot to think about.
Oh, the Places We See
I wish I had taken more photos. It was a gallery of oddities and brilliant creations!
Tina Schell
That is REALLY weird Rush1!! I saw the Elvis/Marilyn right away, before you described it but the Obama portrait was truly amazing. Rather a weird way to decorate a hotel tho 😱
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right. We weren’t expecting so much oddity in a hotel, but looking back on it, it’s truly a draw to that spot. We were amazed at the talent of these artists, even though there wasn’t one piece we’d showcase in our home! Thanks for taking a look!
Tina Schell
LOL, good point about not taking them home Rusha!
dawnkinster
These are very cool. The whole thing reminds me of a hotel located in Winslow AZ, the La Posada, which has an art gallary in an upstairs lobby with the work of the resident artist, similar interesting, political art. The restaurant is phenominal too.
Oh, the Places We See
Ahhhh. A new place to visit. Thanks for the tip. And thanks for the comment, too.
dawnkinster
Definitely worth a visit. And of course you have to stop at the corner, which has been done very cute, based on the song.
Oh, the Places We See
Great idea!!
Toonsarah
What a fascinating collection of art pieces – they really make the hotel stand out from the crowd! There’s a fun website where you can create images similar to the Obama portrait that you might like to check out: https://www.easymoza.com/index.php?t=10
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for this link bi’ll check it out!
Leya
I don’t know what happened to my comment…but here we go again! Woooowwww! Absolutely gorgeous art and entry! I cannot have a favourite – they are all outstandingly weird and wonderful, beautiful, creative and fantastic! More than 7,000 square feet of exhibition space I read from your link – I would buy a ticket any day to see this! Elvis/Marilyn had me watching several times, and the last one – so much work put into this…Thank you for the treat of the week!
Sue
Very different, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
I agree. But so very interesting!
Sue
Well, indeed!
Manja Maksimovič
Oh my! These are certainly different. All fascinating, and I especially like the last one.
Oh, the Places We See
I kept trying to imagine how the artists came up with the ideas to do these pieces, but then I realized that the production must have taken a long time and quite a bit of effort. I appreciate both! Thanks for your comment.
Prior...
really enjoyed the artistic art – hey – did that make sense? well very creative and perfect for weird and wonderful
Oh, the Places We See
Your phrase “artistic art” is perfect because this is both creative and labor intensive. Thanks for taking a look!
Prior...
🙏😊
Rebecca Cuningham
Wonderful art! The Elvis/Marilyn one is a brain teaser.
Oh, the Places We See
We stood there staring at that piece before reading the tag beside it. At first we didn’t know who or what it was. Actually, it’s quite masterful! Even if it’s rather odd.
Rebecca Cuningham
Both were very attractive people. The piece is like a mirage that keeps flipping toward one or the other.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s an intriguing piece, for sure. And I always ask myself, who thinks of these things? Very imaginative.
Rebecca Cuningham
Maybe their prominent cheekbones were the point of departure?
Oh, the Places We See
Could be. It definitely gets your attention!
Anne Sandler
Great post Rusha! Some definite weirdness and great photography.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It’s all done with an iPhone. We found the second floor (where all the art is hanging) quite by accident. But it all worked out. I had no idea when or where I would share these!