There was a time when dropping ones aitches was considered a sign of low class, but times have clearly changed – art’otel amsterdam near the city’s Central Station has got buckets of the stuff with a youthful, contemporary edge thanks to the work of artist Atelier Van Lieshout and designer Eyal Shoan of Digital Space. The guest rooms are characterised by gold light paired with greys and blues which gives a futurist feel, as does the space station panelling around the entertainment centre and the reading lights descending on rods from the ceiling. Don’t worry if you forget your book by the way – you can just read the floor for a bit.
Restaurant 5&33 is where the action really gets going. Atelier Van Lieshout has been very busy indeed, creating 120 original pieces for the new hotel, and many can be found in the restaurant and bar. A rank of giant anglepoise lamps lines the wall, reminiscent of Pesce’s Moloch (currently on display at the Barbican as part of their Pop Art Design exhibition). Each lamp illuminates its own circular table around which is a cluster of chairs – do they resembling lacy knickers, or is it me? Pop and contemporary is very much on the menu, and one of the standout features is a permanent installation in the shape of a 12 metre “art curtain” from our friends at Present Plus; the visual projections change interactively with sound and movement. Far out.
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