Dutch Sculptor 'Defies Impossible' In Exclusive Exhibition
Seven exclusive works will be unveiled at the opening ceremony and will be on display in The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren until the fall of 2023. Invited guests will have a rare chance to see the works of art up close, hear Schalkx speak about his experiences and insights into his craft, and learn more about the hotel's rich creative history.
The Toren's romantic atmosphere and decadent décor provide the ideal setting for this exclusive exhibition, which is housed in two canal houses from the 17th century that were once the scene of the flamboyant lives of Dutch merchants on. The art students at Leiden University, where the Dutch Golden Age master Rembrandt studied in the early 1600s, painted a 60 square metre Rembrandt-inspired mural for the lounge bar's roof.
Ramon Schalkx
The septet of sculptures on display are Climbing Male; Here I am; For the Love of Dance; Bronze Female Torso; Liz Taylor; Pregnant Marble Torso; and Spear Fisher. Commenting from his workshop, 20 minutes from the capital, Schalkx said “The majority of my work is characterised as a surprising representation of life. My pieces are inspired by the human body and nature, telling the story of where the body's limitations of strength and craft end, and where construction, engineering and manifestation of the mind begin.” Speaking of his personal favourite, For the Love of Dance Schalkx summarised “It is the pure beauty of the two separate sculptures meeting in a very dynamic, loving and intimate moment.”
"Dancers and the art of dance inspire me enormously. Not only for the almost impossible movements, the expression and translation of emotion in a beautiful powerful body, but also for the dancers enormous dedication, hard work and passion for dance. As a sculptor I continue where it physically stops for the dancers. A dream and the next level of the dancers, that continues in another form of art. Making the impossible, possible.”
Of the collaboration with the hotel, Annemieke Dassen-Klassen, said “We're delighted to have Ramon's artwork on display in the hotel. His creations are a perfect fit here. Ramon's sculptures will be with us throughout the summer months for all our discerning guests to enjoy”.
Schalkx continued, “I'm looking forward to the event. I very much enjoy sharing how my work is created, from the initial idea to the defiance of gravity/science in how the two individual elements intertwine yet do not touch or rely on each other to actually stand as one. It is a great honour to display my artwork at The Toren hotel.”
Female Dancer By Ramon Schalkx
Schalkx, who had previously won the 'Zilveren Kei' Audience Award for promising young artists, chose to focus his life entirely on his art in 2020. Instead of going to work during the day, Schalkx stays up late every night working on his art and challenging the conventional wisdom about how certain materials should be used. His works span the spectrum from layered representational to mellow abstract. Everything is made by hand with millimeter-perfect accuracy. Some of Schalkx's sculptures took him years to create because of their complexity, difficulty, and the many steps involved in their creation, including sketching, modelling, carving, casting, and finishing.
The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts' dedication to collaborating with artists and local artisans is on full display at the first-ever show at The Toren in Amsterdam. More than 60 works of art, including lithographs and engravings by some of Spain's most famous contemporary artists, have been loaned to The Pavilions Madrid as part of a collaboration between the hotel and the prestigious gallery and art academy El Taller del Prado. The art of relaxation begins the minute guests enter the lobby at The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte, where they are transported to a gallery. The hotel, housed in a palazzo that belonged to a nobleman in the 19th century, is part of a rising hospitality trend towards art hotels, and features both fixed and rotating exhibitions.
Each suite becomes a small private gallery for guests to enjoy during their stay.
Genevieve Raeburn, Group Marketing, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts says “The intangible part of a guest stay is really important in enhancing their time at the property. It introduces guests to local culture, customs and talent. Whether travelling for business or leisure, we know what our guests appreciate. Upon entering the hotel, the ambiance, decoration and cultural identity are as important as the customer service. Across our portfolio, we ensure that our guests feel a connection to the destination and culture, so working with local artists is an excellent way for us to do this.”