Contract Magazine - April 2017 - 95

PHOTOGRAPHY: PAUL BARDAGJY (ALL THIS SPREAD)

most important component driving our artistic selections. The main
difference is that designers and architects often come to us with
a predetermined narrative, while ownership may look to us to help
develop an innovative, creative vision that enhances the uniqueness
of their property.
What do you look for when searching for new art and artists?
I know it when I see it. We are looking for that wow factor. EFA
collaborates with a very broad definition of what art is, and we try
to look beyond typical media, when possible, in order to find works
we think are the most visually stimulating and true to the story
we are telling within a hospitality space. If our team finds it exciting,
we can trust that guests will too. Also, we work with local artists
whenever possible to support the local art scene and infuse aspects
of the community into our projects. We have been in the industry long
enough that artists reach out to us as well. Beyond this, we attend art
shows, such as Art Basel Miami, to keep up with the broader art world
and to see as much new work as possible.
How is curating for a hospitality interior different from curating
for a workplace interior or other project type?
The way hospitality and corporate spaces are used is quite different,
so the art programs need to account for audience and use of space
to best engage the environment and people. Hotel guests are transient
and, often times, in a vacation mindset, which is not true for employees
that enter the same office everyday for a set amount of time. There's
an obvious difference in feel and mood of a guestroom versus
a workplace. So while there are parallels between corporate and
hospitality spaces, such as the reception area and the lobby, it takes
a lot of finesse to curate a complete art program that will keep
employees excited about the same spaces daily.

What are some of your largest or most notable projects
in recent years?
Two of our most recent projects are the Canyon Suites at The Phoenician,
A Luxury Collection Resort, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Hilton
West Palm Beach. At The Phoenician, we collaborated on all
guestrooms and suites as well as public spaces. The property is fairly
iconic, so we really focused on generating a sense of place with the
art while keeping the program exciting and refined. In a similar vein,
at the Hilton West Palm Beach, we wanted the art in the public spaces
and guestrooms to speak to the fantastic climate and endemic nature
of the surroundings, so we pulled a lot of inspiration from the Atlantic
Ocean and the beach.
Since we are based in Austin, where there is such a well-known
art scene, it was a pleasure to interpret our city's history through
the art in the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin. We're currently working
on the Four Seasons Austin and the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, as
well as four projects in Las Vegas, including the Caesar's Palace Tower.

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Contract Magazine - April 2017

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