The Beauty Of Vegas–Art/Technology/Interiors

Vegas is a city of excess and the new Cosmopolitan Hotel fits this stereotype perfectly with its $3.9 billion budget. It opened in December 2010 and it is the lobby of the project that interests me the most. Designed by Digital Kitchen, guests are welcomed into the space with a stunning electronic art installation as shown below.

Images play and dance across the 8 columns that seamlessly integrate into the overall design. The project uses photography, film and both 2D and 3D animation to create constantly changing imagery. This in turn means the character of the space is ever changing, something that is unique and constantly unexpected for users.

It is not only beautiful but entertaining and is a far classier element than what resides in most Las Vegas Interiors.

The different subject matters melt into each other, one minute it could be showing architectural images the next could be animals. This ever changing element is representative of each guests encounter with the hotel. Each person will have a different experience and stay within the hotel just as each person will be greeted by a different part of the installations animation.

The film below provides more details about the project and also shows the piece in action. For more more information you can also head to the My Modern Met blog.

Minibar For The Mind

Next week is my birthday and in a bit of work procrastination I decided to have a look for some unusual gifts I could hint at for people to get me! The Minibar For The Mind instantly stood out.

Designed by The School Of Life in collaboration with the Morgans Hotel Group, the School Of Life is a London based firm that offers advice and ideas for everyday life. They are a ‘social enterprise’ addressing important questions and issues such as “why work is often unfulfilling” and “why its even harder to stay calm”.

The minibar is available from luxury vending machines within the Morgans Hotel Group and a select few shops in America.

“The minibar for the mind contains an intriguing and thought provoking alternative to the usual minibar fare”

The set includes:

• Conversation Starters- 250 cards of quotes, questions and ideas.
• Collected Thoughts- A collection of articles written by members of the School Of Life and its collaborators.
• Reading Prescriptions- Two scrolls held in test tubes, designed to evoke feelings of relaxation or seduction.
• A Dream and Fears Notebook- Aesthetically this is my favourite element. A simple embossed covered notebook to be used as an outlet for your fears and dreams.
• Writers Block Pencil Set- To use with the dream notebook the pencils have quotes on them from Twain, Orwell and Sterne.

The set looks fantastic and I would hope that its content is as clever and well thought out as the overall aesthetic. Such a thing would not only be a great idea in a hotel but great as a general standby for everyday life! A bargain at $56 or £35.

So who is getting me one for my birthday?