This Permanent Installation Serves as the Cornerstone of Conrad New York Midtown's Avant-Garde Art Program
NEW YORK, August 16, 2019
Conrad New York Midtown unveiled "Lida & The Swan" by hyperrealist t artist Carole A. Feuerman. This permanent sculpture installation in the lobby serves as the hallmark of the hotel’s extensive, curated art program and a nod to Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to the arts. Influenced by the Greek myth of the same name, this
contemporary sculpture revives the story by bringing in modern themes of feminism and strength. Upon entering the lobby, guests’ eyes are immediately drawn to the larger-than-life sculpture depicting a female figure in an ornate bathing costume and crystal-clad swim cap lounging on a bright white inflatable swan. The life-like sculpture appears to float on the plinth, layering in a Zen mood to the calm and serene lobby space. Feuerman’s interpretation of the classic tale – where Zeus, disguised as a swan, overpowers and seduces Leda who then bore Helen of Troy – showcases Leda, the bather, in a position of feminine dominance over Zeus, the swan. “Conrad New York Midtown’s art collection inspires guests to appreciate the array of art that New York City offers,” said Robert H. Rechtermann, general manager. “Given our location in Midtown, we’re steps away from the Museum of Art and Design, as well as the soon-to-be reopened Museum of Modern Art, and have a bevy of very talented artists at our fingertips. Carole’s sculpture is the perfect commissioned piece of art to entrance guests and introduces them to our art program.” Feuerman, a born-and-bred New Yorker, is the sole female founding member of the 1970s’ hyperrealist movement, and her art has garnered worldwide acclaim. Leda and the Swan is made with Lacquer, 24k gold leaf, and Swarovski Crystals, which allow the light to refract and sparkle, much like it would if placed on the surface of a body of water. The sculpture is meticulously rendered with hundreds of layers of paint to portray the nuances of life-like skin tones. It was commissioned and purchased by Conrad New York Midtown and will be on permanent display in the lobby of the hotel.
“I like the idea that my work inspires the viewers to look closely at what stands before them. It
encourages flights of fantasy and involves the viewer with an intimacy they didn’t expect at first
glance. If museums and art are at the top of your itinerary when you travel, you’ll find the Conrad New York Midtown a great way to get cultured,” said Feuerman.
The sculpture Leda and the Swan is just one of the many notable pieces throughout Conrad New York Midtown that exemplify New York’s progressive art history. The hotel’s curated collection consists of over 40 pieces, incorporating pivotal artistic movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, street photography, jazz improvisation, Broadway theater, and collections from the MOMA, the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other standout pieces include an original Henri Matisse lithograph, two original Andy Warhol silkscreens and two limited edition photographs by Amy Judd.
About Carole A. Feuerman
Carole is a born-and-bred New Yorker who paid her way through art school at SVA by illustrating high-profile album covers for artists such as The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper, as well as a cover of National Lampoon. Following school, Carole began touring Europe to establish herself among an art community that had historically valued male artists. She went on to become the sole female founding member of the hyperrealist movement in the 1970s. Her art has become her way of expressing her thoughts about female activism, and Leda and the Swan tells a story that mimics her own - one of strength, survival, and the struggle to achieve.
She has taught, lectured, and given workshops at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Columbia University, and Grounds for Sculpture. In 2011, she founded the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation. Her art is in the collections of the President and Senator Hillary Clinton, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Dr. Henry Kissinger, the Mikhail Gorbachev Art Foundation, the Malcolm Forbes Magazine Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the State Hermitage in Russia. There are five monographs written about her work. Over the past 40 years, she has earned world recognition by sculpting monumental, life-sized, and museum-sized works in bronze, resin, and marble.
About Conrad New York Midtown
The only suite, only luxury Conrad New York Midtown offers travelers a spacious and innately
residential retreat. The 54-floor property encompasses 562 suites and luxury guest rooms; a well developed art program spanning several pivotal art movements; Dabble, an all-day lively restaurant and accompanying bar; and a 1,500 square-foot fitness center. Set on a quiet side street just steps away from Central Park, the hotel is surrounded by the best of New York City including Rockefeller Center, MoMA and the Theater District. Built in 1987, the property completed a full renovation touching all 54 floors, accommodations, and common spaces in 2019.
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