.jpg)
The Shilla Seoul
December 29, 2011
Shilla Seoul Sparkles as a Showcase of Art and Floral Design for the Festive Season
New lobby art installation is a winter wonderland of beaded droplets and light while ‘florist to the stars’ Jeff Leatham dazzles with his fabulous floral designs
The Shilla Seoul continues to set new cultural benchmarks in luxury hospitality as a showcase for international art and design. The continuously evolving world-class art collection is complemented by collaborations with the world’s top designers and style gurus whose pieces create the inimitable “Shilla Look”, applauded with international renown among the world’s top hotels.
This celebration of art and culture greets guests from the moment of arrival and one of the newest additions to the Shilla collection comes into its own as the Christmas season gets underway. Showpiece of the hotel’s imposing lobby, this eye-catching sculpture comprising literally thousands of clear acrylic beads in the shape of an elongated diamond, hangs fluidly from the cathedral-height ceiling creating the impression of a winter wonderland of icy droplets and shimmering reflected light.
Entitled 'An Aggregate', it was created for the Shilla by the renowned Korean artist Sun Ghi Bahk in 2006 and has been modified every year since, winning the prestigious Sculpture Award in Korea when first installed. Bahk says the beaded sculpture is reminiscent of Christmas decorations in a calm mist and “symbolises space and life".
Commenting on the hotel’s collaboration with artist Sun Ghi Bahk, The Shilla Seoul General Manager, Citi Choi said, “This magnificent piece reflects the importance of art at The Shilla. We are continuously evolving our collection to embrace new artists and art forms and we are particularly proud of this installation by a renowned Korean artist which now truly comes into its own during the Christmas season.”
Before the holidays, The Shilla’s much admired flower arrangements also reflected the flair of an artist as internationally renowned ‘florist to the stars’ Jeff Leatham - consultant florist to The Shilla - lent his magic touch to the festive decorations throughout the lobby and restaurants, to flower arrangements for the fabulous parties and celebrations for which the Shilla is renowned in Seoul.
Voted ‘Best Hotel Florist in Europe’ for his work on the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, Jeff Leatham’s floral arrangements are in hot demand worldwide for high-profile social events, ceremonies and grand openings. He is frequently commissioned by leading global design houses such as Alexander McQueen, Phillip Treacy, Swarovski Crystal, Givenchy and Burberry amongst others.
Since his first collaboration with The Shilla in 2008, Jeff Leatham has become something of a celebrity in Seoul through his wedding flower design demonstrations and flower arranging classes, as well as his wedding flower designs for countless celebrities including Korean superstars Dong Gun Jang and So Young Ko.
The Shilla Seoul is a member of the prestigious The Leading Hotels of the World and attracts visitors looking for luxury in spectacular surroundings. More than a thousand original and exquisite artworks by Korean and international artists decorate the hotel, while a famous ‘sculpture garden’ is the highlight of its 23-hectare parkland estate in the heart of the capital.
For more information on Seoul’s ‘Gallery Hotel’ please visit www.shilla.net.
