Art and culture in hotels and residences
Mamaison bridges the gap between culture, history and modern art – and provide artists with a platform for exhibitions and events.
The exceptional hotels in the Mamaison Group of Hotels & Residences introduce their guests to many facets of art and culture. The Mamaison Hotels in Budapest, Prague, Ostrava and Moscow are not only located in the immediate vicinity of museums, galleries and theatres, but they are also fully committed to supporting the local art scene through exhibitions and opening parties on their own premises. Mamaison is also happy to host local cultural events. In this way, the hotels and residences themselves become an integral part of the local artistic and cultural scene and live up to their stated aim of providing a link between art, culture and history.
The enjoyment of art in Budapest
The Mamaison Hotel Andrássy Budapest is located right at the heart of the historic quarter. For art lovers in particular, the unique building in the Bauhaus style is an ideal place to stay and offers excellent value for money. It is home to a permanent exhibition of works by the internationally renowned Hungarian photographer and painter Adam Balogh. Inspired by his travels to exotic countries, the pictures by the 39-year old artist also reflect his inner journey. His photographs, which can also be found in international illustrated travel books, are fascinating snapshots of foreign cultures, recording the marvel of unpretentious moments, thus bridging the gap between the observer of the picture and its subject. Not far from the Mamaison Hotel Andrássy, the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) is located in Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere). It ranks among the most important art collections in the world and houses objects from Ancient Egypt and from Antiquity as well as European art history from the 13th to the 21st century. Until 15 March 2010, the museum shows works by Parmigianino under the title of “The Alchemy of Beauty”. Worth a mention is also the special exhibition “From Degas to Picasso” which will run until 25 April 2010. Heroes’ Square is also home to the Palace of Art (Műcsarnok), dedicated to contemporary fine arts from Hungary. Only a few steps further, Andrássy Boulevard 103 is the address of the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts. Ferenc Hopp (1833-1919) was one of the most outstanding East Asia travellers of his time. The collection on show in his erstwhile villa comprises about 19,000 objects of art and in recent years has developed into a veritable crowd puller.
A jewel amongst the Mamaison Hotels & Residences Residence is the Mamaison Residence Izabella Budapest . The upmarket residence is located in a historic 19th century building in Izabella utca 61 just around the corner from Andrássy Boulevard. It boasts 38 spacious suites for short and long stays. The guests are pampered with a cosy and warm atmosphere. Every month, young Hungarian artists exhibit their works in the Residence’s public areas. Exhibits cover the entire range from modern paintings, nature photography and portraiture to book covers and book illustrations. At the monthly events, an invited audience together with the guests at the hotel have the opportunity of meeting the young talents and of buying a piece of their works that may have caught their eyes. The list of artists who have already been guests at the Mamaison Residence Izabella includes Csilla Gévai, Tamás Tőkés, Péter Baky, József Csák and Sára Zsabka. In choosing the artists, the hotel management attaches great importance to making sure that the artists and their works fit in with the Mamaison image and thus are as individual as the Mamaison Hotels & Residences themselves.
Wide-ranging cultural sponsorship in the Czech Republic
The Mamaison Suite Hotel Pachtuv Palace in Prague is the former palace of Earl Karel Pachta; its list of past guests includes Mozart. Today the elegant palace is a favoured accommodation for leisure and business travellers alike. It is located right next to Charles Bridge and impresses visitors with its exquisite frescoes, vaulted chapel ceilings, sculptures and open fireplaces. In its first exhibition of the New Year, the Mamaison Suite Hotel Pachtuv Palace has been presenting the photographer Vladimír Brunton, whose large-format portraits in brownish-golden hues are a perfect match to the hotel’s ambience. Over the preceding decade, 49-year old Brunton has specialised his artistic work on ancient photographic techniques and large-format black-and-white portraits that almost have the appearance of paintings. Similar to 19th century artistic photography, his images bear a brownish golden hue, bestowing on them the warmth of live while recalling the aspirations of ancient art. Brunton works with platinum prints which permit exceptionally nuanced scales of hue and effects that are almost magical. Until 21 March 2010, guests to the hotel have the opportunity of viewing and purchasing his works. The next artist hosted by Mamaison Suite Hotel Pachtuv Palace will be Lea Vivot with her life-size statues.
The Mamaison Business & Conference Hotel Imperial Ostrava pursues cultural sponsoring in many guises. At the end of 2009, the upper mid-scale hotel supported a guest performance of the internationally renowned Georgian opera singer Paata Burchuladze. Last December, the hotel hosted a private viewing and gala in honour of the photographer Jadran Šetlík and invited children from the local orphanage to a New Year’s Eve party, for the seventh year running. In the hotel’s lobby, the Czech aid organisation ADRA presented a picture exhibition which met with great acclaim. Another exhibitor is the Čtyřlístek Ostrava Centre for the disabled; its pictures continue to be on display in the hotel’s atrium until the end of February. The Mamaison Business & Conference Hotel Imperial is located in the heart of Ostrava city centre, within walking distance of the major sights, shops, restaurants and buzzing nightlife. It is suitable for weekend visits as well as for long term stays.
Culture and charity in Moscow
Cultural and social commitment also plays a major role in the Mamaison All-Suites Spa Hotel Pokrovka Moscow . In the summer of 2009, this deluxe hotel in the historic centre of Moscow hosted a much-acclaimed exhibition of works by the painters and restorers Yuri and Vassiliy Rodin. The father-and-son team had gained fame across Russia for their work on the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and the Tretyakov Gallery. The series of exhibitions, entitled “Summer Patio”, is to be continued this year, too. In its “Numbers” restaurant, the boutique hotel offers sophisticated live entertainment. From Mondays to Fridays in January 2010, the band “Extravaganza” played a jazz fusion blend as known from famous artists such as George Benson, David Sanborn and Russ Freeman. The low-key style with a balanced combination of guitar, saxophone and keyboard proved very popular with guests. In addition, the Mamaison All-Suites Spa Hotel Pokrovka Moscow is a member of the Russian Rotary Club and in this capacity involved in numerous charity projects across the country. The hotel offers excellent value for money and is appreciated by holidaymakers and business guests alike.
About Mamaison Hotels & Residences:
Mamaison Hotels & Residences are a non-standardized hotel chain in Central and Eastern Europe. The company has 10 years of experience in the hotel industry. Mamaison Hotels & Residences offer their guests a portfolio of ten select hotels from the midscale to upscale deluxe category, classified into three hotel types – “Mamaison Boutique Hotels”, “Mamaison Business & Conference Hotels” and “Mamaison All-Suites Residence Hotels”. The hotels are located in the heart of the attractive cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Moscow, Ostrava, Prague and Warsaw. The individual hotel concept sets itself apart through design, buildings true to their original surroundings, personal flair and first-class service and is a winner with both business and leisure travellers.
The company employs 480 people. The Orco Property Group is the holding company of Mamaison Hotels & Residences.
More information from http://www.accommotel.com or email richard@@accommotel.com
Tags: museum of fine arts, european art history, illustrated travel, inner journey <BR/>
