How hotels, airports, and boutique stays are curating art to create moments of reflection and connection

It is 2019. You walk into the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. There’s nothing timid about the hotel, maximalism reigns supreme and the property shines in its position as a boisterous pop culture icon. In the famous Rose Bar, you find an art exhibit dedicated to Andy Warhol and works by other celebrated artists such as Damien Hirst and Mel Ramos. The hotel had over $50 million worth of art at any point, one of the most extensive collections in the world, rivalling those of some art museums. The hotel shut down in 2020, but it certainly made a case for art as an anchor in spaces with rapid movement.

Hotels and airports around the world are investing heavily in art—paintings, sculptures, installations—often offering glimpses into the cultural and local landscape. It is intriguing because the interaction with the art, if at all, in these spaces is fleeting. Would a jet-lagged guest appreciate a painting in a hotel lobby after their tiring red eye flight? Is a weary passenger, checking e-mails before they take their flight, likely to engage with an art installation, no matter how provocative? Art enthusiasts know that not every piece of art will engage, but it only takes one to make someone stop and stare. A sort of quiet moment in the cacophony, drowning out the urgency, even if temporarily.

Radiesha Daluwatte, director of marketing at Cinnamon Life, a five-star hotel in Sri Lanka with over a thousand art pieces, says, “Our art curation philosophy is rooted in creating moments of unexpected connection. For transitory spaces, we prioritise bold, thought-provoking pieces that command attention even in passing. The selection process focuses on artworks that evoke emotion, spark curiosity, or offer a fleeting sense of wonder—pieces with striking visuals, layered textures, or dynamic forms that resonate instantly. Each curated art piece has a deep narrative and is mostly related to the history, culture, and landscapes of Sri Lanka. Additionally, we consider how the artwork interacts with the environment, using scale, colour, and placement to enhance both visibility and impact within high-traffic areas.”

Evocative seems to be the overarching theme when it comes to art in places where the engagement is likely to be fleeting. This is perhaps most true for airports, but even here art is being showcased with specificity and intention. The newly built Terminal 2 at Bengaluru airport features 60 artworks by more than 40 artists. Yamini Telkar, consultant of the Art Programme, Bangalore International Airport Limited, explains, “Airports are built for efficiency, but what sets a great airport apart is its ability to offer more than just functionality. While security, operations, and logistics remain paramount, the emotional and sensory experience of a space plays an equally significant role in how a traveller perceives their journey. Art becomes essential in this context, not as a distraction but as an anchor—something that momentarily grounds passengers even as they move through a high-paced environment. The presence of art at an airport isn’t about slowing people down; it’s about shaping how they feel as they move. It transforms a transient space into one that lingers in memory, turning what could be just another stop along the way into an experience that resonates long after departure.”

At homestays, art is a reflection of the socio-cultural nuances of the place, and often, a showcase of the owner’s penchant for it. Sometimes, the space becomes a facilitator for dialogue between the artist and the guest. At the Malabar House, a boutique art hotel in Kochi, owned by Joerg Drechsel, the curated pieces offer guests a chance to engage with the art before they know of the artist. Dreschel says, “We advise guests on galleries and treasure troves, and at times connect them directly with an artist. Explaining culture to the curious traveller and offering a platform for arts and artists is meaningful.” While the aim is to have a ‘stop and smell the roses’ moment, in transitory spaces, the art has to, at all times, be unobtrusive. Daluwatte explains, “Engagement doesn’t require prolonged observation. It’s about creating visual touch points that effortlessly weave into a person’s journey. Interactive installations, reflective surfaces, and art integrated into architectural elements subtly engage people without demanding their attention. We curate art that catches the corner of an eye, invites a second glance, or even triggers a subconscious emotional response.”

Telkar adds, “The art at Bengaluru airport is integrated intuitively—whether it’s a sculpture positioned within a seating area or a digital display that moves along with the passenger’s journey. For those who want to explore further, every piece includes a QR code with artist details, leading to more information on the airport’s website. Interaction doesn’t always have to be in real-time. It can be a moment recalled, a story revisited, or an impression that stays.” For hotels investing in art that become conversation starters, comes with perks. Art on the premises can make the areas more coveted, drawing an elite crowd, and become a unique selling point. For the guest, this could mean an elevated experience, and serve as a showcase of their eclectic taste. Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” And if that happens to be at a place of transit and only for a fleeting moment, so be it. With this AQI, we could all afford to wash a little dust off.

Lead Image: Artwork on display at Cinnamon Life; Courtesy Cinnamon Life

This piece originally appeared in the March print edition of Harper's Bazaar India. 

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