Art and travel, two things we love, have come together in this collaboration between Marriott Bonvoy, which is Marriott International’s travel program, and Art Basel Hong Kong 2021. In association with charitable organization, The Plated Project, Marriott Bonvoy will present a series of artworks titled ‘A Memory of the Future’ at Art Basel. The four unique ceramic plate designs pay tribute to the distinct art forms that define Hong Kong, including hand-carved mahjong tiles, hand-made stencils, neon signs and Cantonese opera.
Marriott Bonvoy’s partnership with one of Asia’s biggest annual art fairs gives its members the chance to have a unique art experience and exclusive access to the event. The series will be showcased at Art Basel Hong Kong from Fri 21 May – Sun 23 May 2021. Marriott Bonvoy is the Official Hotel Loyalty Partner of the event.
The Plated Project is a global initiative that uses art to help alleviate world hunger, they collaboratewith artists around the world to create limited edition art plates under unique themes every month. Proceeds from the sales of these are donated to sponsor meals for disadvantaged communities across the globe. To date, they have sponsored 450,000 meals and have collaborated with over 100 artists. The Plated Project worked with Marriott Bonvoy for the past year to understand the culture of Hong Kong.
Marriott Bonvoy’s loyalty Hong Kong members can redeem their points to bid on ‘one-of-a-kind’ experiences, including access to Art Basel on the VIP days before general public access, redemption packages for Vernissage VIP invitations, private view VIP cards. All experiences include the limited-edition ceramic art plates. For Marriott Bonvoy members overseas, VIP experiences to the Online Viewing Room, a selection of curated online events, live-streamed broadcasts, including conversations and VIP-walkthroughs from the venue and throughout the city are available.
For those who are feeling the urge to travel, check out the playful, poetic, vibrant and majestic tributes to Asia’s World City.
A Playful Memory of the Future
A Playful Memory of the Future
Mahjong originated in China during the Qing dynasty and then spread across the world. While electronic mahjong tables and digital games helped the popularity of the game soar, Mahjong today has only a couple of carvers practicing the craft in Hong Kong. It was named an “intangible cultural heritage” by the government in 2014. Kalakaari Haath, an Indian artist collective aims to preserve traditional art-forms using modern techniques.
A Poetic Memory of the Future
A Poetic Memory of the Future
Championing the fading art of making stencils by hand are artists Anila Agha, who created a larger-than-life installation as a tribute to the work of the humble stencil maker and Tarini Sethi, a fine artist. The art plate is inspired by the contrasts of sturdy geometry and playful cutouts visible in Anila Agha’s tribute to the stencil maker who sits in the shadow.
A Vibrant Memory of the Future
A Vibrant Memory of the Future
Between 1950 and 1980, there were reportedly a million neon signs in Hong Kong, but today, they’re disappearing rapidly. Bringing back a piece of Hong Kong’s once vibrant street culture is Insane51, a Greek muralist and a pioneer in 3D art. He uses graffiti as a tool to create art that responds to neon lights and the 3D glasses, which are provided with the plate.
A Majestic Memory of the Future
A Majestic Memory of the Future
In the 1950s, the Cantonese opera drew in thousands of fans into traditional bamboo theatres with its jewelled masks and elaborate headdresses, though sadly it has lost its charm with youngsters. Suket Dhir, a Woolmark Prize Winner for Menswear in 2016, brings back the royalty of that era, depicting a new female warrior character, who represents the modern woman of today.
“I am particularly pleased to bring back Marriott Bonvoy Moments to the region where our Members can enjoy exclusive VIP access in Hong Kong or virtually from anywhere in the world together with Art Basel Hong Kong 2021,” said Bart Buiring, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Asia Pacific for Marriott International.
You can purchase these plates from selected hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program in Hong Kong starting June while stocks last or via The Plated Project website.
In the past, Bonvoy had also partnered with the IPL team Mumbai Indians to curate experiential experiences for their members. In April 2021, at the start of the IPL, loyalty members could bid on one-on-one virtual engagements with players, coaching clinics for their kid, signed memorabilia, go live on a social media channel with the Mumbai Indians, or get a chance to holiday with the Mumbai Indians’ players at a Marriott property in India. The group of hotels also introduced staycation packages allowing guests to cheer for their favourite teams with friends and family in the comfort of Marriott hotels.
