The Cosmo , notes Gentleman , “ doesn ’ t just put paintings on the walls ; they take digital billboard signage and display work from contemporary artists — which is pretty unique in the casino world , but is consistent with their brand .”
Fine Galleries
The Bellagio was the first Las Vegas casino to open a fine arts gallery , in 1998 . It pioneered fine art on the Strip . The Venetian conducted a noble experiment when , for seven years , it partnered with the Guggenheim to present the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum . This included 10 major exhibitions . Some , such as Libby Lumpkin , executive director of the Las Vegas Art Museum , were not impressed . In 2008 she told the Las Vegas Sun , “ Among cultural tourists there is an expectation of seeing exhibitions that organize new knowledge with the works of art . At Guggenheim , it was more like showcasing great paintings .”
In May 2008 the contract between gallery and casino ended and the Guggenheim returned to New York City .
The Venetian no longer has an art gallery , but does have an interactive exhibit celebrating one of the greatest artists and geniuses of all time in “ Da Vinci : the Exhibition .” Purists might argue that this gives the Disneyland treatment to fine art in the same way the Luxor treats ancient Egyptian history . But the purists might be wrong . The same Italian artisans who interpreted the 15th century dialect translated from the mirror writing Da Vinci used in his famous notebooks helped create , often for the first time , 60 life-size machine inventions , artwork and anatomical studies . Guests learn how the models work by pulling and cranking them . This is art education , especially if you are aiming at young minds .
For the most part , that seems to be what the masses are willing to pay for , as opposed to fine arts galleries . With some notable exceptions .
Destination Art
Gentleman observes , “ The combination of art and casino has had mixed results . The Guggenheim ’ s Hermitage Museum at the Venetian closed because it didn ’ t generate the hoped-for traffic . The Wynn gallery closed in 2009 and was replaced by a Rolex retail store . People don ’ t come to Las Vegas for the art . They come to be entertained . But a small segment , such as those who go to the Borgata , is looking for more than just entertainment . People who can pay $ 200 per night might have an appreciation for the arts . They are not just looking for entertainment , but enrichment .”
After Wynn ’ s fine art gallery experiment , he changed his approach , and now scatters artworks from his private collection throughout his properties . Wynn is known for attracting wellheeled casino visitors . His on-property artworks feed that strategy .
At the Las Vegas Wynn Convention Center corridor you will find Attempting to Calm a Titan and Mercury Ascending Azo by a young , emerging artist , David Guidera . Guests at valet entrances are greeted by bronze horse and shoe sculptures by Stephan
Jeff Koons ’ Tulips at Wynn Las Vegas
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