When Art Speaks: A Journey Through Six Senses Resorts
June 18, 2024 – Explore Japanese folklore, a fresh take on Roman classicism, and a collaboration with Magnum Photography, Carlito Delceggio, and CAN Art Fair in Ibiza through soul-searching artworks.
Like music and writing, great art nourishes the soul and lets in the light, helping the human experience transcend into something filled with color and hope. At Six Senses, we color our world by carefully curating every facet of our resorts, from the art adorning the walls to the sculptures and ceramics that breathe life into our interiors.
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This means you’ll feel a sense of homecoming when you arrive at any of our properties, but also a sense of place. Every property is infused with a local sensibility that shines throughout, and when it comes to art curation, we embrace it in all its forms. Whether textiles, photography, or painting, we take inspiration from the places we call home and the people that shape them.
Rich Folklore and Cultural Traditions at Six Senses Kyoto
Historically the capital and still thought to be the cultural and historical heart of Japan, Kyoto is famed for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, traditional Japanese architecture, beautiful cherry blossoms, and rich folklore.
Taking the theme indoors, the décor at Six Senses Kyoto is a celebration of authentic traditions and ancient Japanese culture. Design touches inspired by the literary masterpiece Tale of Genji as well as ancient folklore and art, including the “Chōjū-giga” (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals) are woven through the hotel. Together, they embody the notion of Miyabi, the refined aesthetic and elegant sensibility of the Heian period (794-1185).
Written in the 11th-century and widely celebrated as the world’s first novel, the Tale of Genji is an exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan. Penned 1,000 years ago by a woman author, Murasaki Shikibu, it tells the story of Genji, the emperor’s son, following his life and romances through multiple marriages, love affairs, alliances, and shifting fortunes in a magnificent, multigenerational epic.
“Chōjū-giga” (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals) is believed to be the very first manga (Japanese graphic novel) in the nation’s history. The black-and-white ink scrolls depict animals engaging in human activities — archery contests, bathing rituals, and festive gatherings. Offering a humorous glimpse into the life of Heian Kyoto, they symbolize the beginning of all things fun and quirky in Japanese culture.
Rituals and Traditions
Kyoto is buzzing with cultural and creative energy. Step onto the streets and soak it all up before returning for afternoon tea – a slice of social history all its own – in Café Sekki, where you can choose from an enticing selection of crafted seasonal teas alongside freshly baked cakes and pastries made with Kyoto-harvested honey and homemade naturally fermented sweeteners.
The Assembly of Free Spirits at Six Senses Ibiza
Creativity is the lifeblood of Ibiza, and the island attracts artists inspired by its glowing beauty and higher vibrations. As part of our rich and varied cultural offering at Six Senses Ibiza, a series of artistic Magnum photographs accompanies you as you wander through the resort. Down at our waterside venue, The Beach Caves, bask in the exuberantly colorful mural, La Asamblea de los Espíritus Libres or The Assembly of Free Spirits, crafted by Carlito Delceggio.
Carlito works across disciplines and is influenced by modern and ancient rituals, art history, music, and myth, to weave the folkloric with the futuristic. His work spans collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, performances at Art Basel Miami Beach, murals made with children living in the Rio de Janeiro favelas, and much more. His Beach Caves mural is a manifesto for the liberation of the spirits. Witnessing this impressive shout-out to free spirits will have you dancing until dawn.
CAN Art Fair, Ibiza, June 26 to 30, 2024
Showcasing further artistic expression within our island community, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with CAN (Contemporary Art Now) Art Fair as it returns for its third edition from June 26 to 30, 2024. It has been brought to the island by the team behind the renowned UVNT Art Fair in Madrid and exhibited in Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s fortified old town, and at various locations across the island.
Blending the excitement of the contemporary art scene with Ibiza’s easy-going island attitude and presenting up-to-the-minute contemporary art with a focus on new and emerging artists as well as more established practitioners from around the globe, CAN Art promises to deliver five days of rich artistic immersion.
Curator Saša Bogojev says, “I am very excited about this year’s diverse lineup presenting the latest in contemporary art. The paintings on show take a variety of forms, aesthetics, mediums, and scales.”
With private viewings and one-off shows provided for guests, this is a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by the avant-garde visual arts scene as the creative energy and vibrant cultural ecosystem of the island come to life. Speak to your Guest Experience Maker to find out more.
Contemporary Art Meets Ancient History at Six Senses Rome
Rome’s vibrant energy and unmatched history of art (where else can you wander in Caravaggio’s footsteps?) inspired a specialist art curation program at Six Senses Rome.
As part of a three-year collaboration, independent art curator and design advisor Federica Sala commissioned contemporary Italian artists and international artists based in Rome to create a series of bespoke artworks. And the result is astonishing. By revitalizing and modernizing ancient Roman classicism, the collected artworks bring a fresh and playful perspective to the hotel’s ambiance. Alongside arresting sculptures, you’ll discover a sophisticated and subtle array of textile wall art, bright ceramics, pictures, and paintings.
From eye-catching severed heads to Daniele Accossato’s caged wing at the foot of the grand marble staircase and limited-edition Bitossi Ceramics to Caroline Gavazzi’s botanical photographs, there’s much to feast your eyes on. Artworks mirror and magnify each other with their low-key radiance: everything is beautiful, but nothing dominates its surroundings nor strives to stand out. There is a perfect harmony between each element as it tells its own distinct chapter in a new and illuminating story.
Follow Caravaggio’s Footsteps
Discover more about Roman art and Caravaggio’s legacy by joining our walking tour with knowledgeable art historians. Take in selected galleries such as the Borghese, Barberini, and Doria Pamphilj to see how Caravaggio left his trace throughout Rome before picking up a paintbrush for a private painting class.
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