417 | Chinoiserie Room
A room swimming in nostalgic and lavish exoticism edged with a sharp self-reflexive bite.
Room Features:
- Queen Bed
- West View
- Bath with Shower
- Ethernet and Wifi
- 175 sq ft/16 sq m
Artist Statement
Built in 1889, the Gladstone Hotel has been described as an example of ‘unabashed architectural exuberance’ utilizing details from the Greek, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance eras. The Chinoiserie Room exists within the spirit of freewheeling decorative appropriation, presenting an opportunity for unabashed chinoiserie. Chinoiserie is a term that refers historically to a style of decorative art that is based on imitations (in particular, European interpretations) of Asian motifs – what might be known as ‘Oriental folly’.
“… in the true Chinoiserie décor fairyland, mandarins lived in fanciful mountainous landscapes with cobweb bridges, carried flower parasols, lolled in flimsy bamboo pavilions haunted by dragons and phoenixes, while monkeys swung from scrolling borders.” (Wikipedia)
Making ironic use of chinoiserie, I have concocted a particular blend of cross-cultural influences that acknowledges and simultaneously pokes fun at the postmodern condition by replacing the ‘true’ elements of chinoiserie with contemporary global references. The effect is a room that is swimming in nostalgic and lavish exoticism edged with a sharp self-reflexive bite. The results will stimulate and provoke guests visually, sensually and cerebrally.
cast of characters that invade the wallpaper:
• qiling monkey leopard
• Baluch tiger
• tourist
• eurogirl
• businessman
• genetic ball
• CN tower hat
• Victorian mourning dress
• boy with saw
• monkey with saw
