Creating powerful concepts for spaces that provide accommodation for a brief period of time is undoubtedly linked to architecture and object design. This is one of the topics that this year's anniversary 100% Hotel Show event chooses to showcase in an innovative way. In collaboration with Design Society, an "Art & Design Gallery" will be created for the first time and it’s expected to attract the attention of the public. This novel experience aims to present various proposals regarding art and design in hotels, without however limiting its audience to only professionals in the tourism sector: architects, designers, manufacturers, investors and students will have the opportunity to see unique objects and learn about their creators. The "Art & Design Gallery" will include different departments, which aim to provide a complete experience to visitors but also comprehensive proposals for professionals, who, using design as a tool, can create impressive spaces and atmospheres, improving their accommodation services and much more.

First of all, the thematic exhibition "Club Vacay", curated by the creative studio Greece is for Lovers and designed by Ioanna Founti from Metamo Interior Studio, will have the central role. Dozens of objects designed by Greek designers -or creators active in Greece- will be presented, while the entire philosophy of the exhibition revolves around how design can create a powerful narrative for hospitality spaces. At the same time, a selection of artistic proposals and design objects collected by the creative team behind the 100% Hotel Show and Design Society will be exhibited and it will be a unique opportunity, for anyone interested, to come into contact with companies involved in design in our country as well as abroad. In this way, the interconnection and cooperation between the different professional branches are promoted in practice.

Till 10:06, Till 10 by Oto Marble Light

We spoke with Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou of "Greece is for Lovers", to learn more about the "Club Vacay" exhibition.

Tell us a few words about the exhibition that is in the works. What designers can we expect to encounter and what is the philosophy behind the exhibition set-up?

The topic of holidays in a branch exhibition of the hospitality field is understandable and in a way inevitable. We approached the concept of the hotel as a place directly connected to holidays and transience, hence the title of the exhibition "Club Vacay". Essentially, we propose an imaginary vacation condition and present an unexpected collection of objects that serve the needs of a hotel but at the same time enhance the experience of the space and build memories. At the same time, we explore how design can enter the environment of a hotel, escape from the narrow limits of decoration, and acquire an independent role. We are very excited to meet an audience we have never interacted with before and look forward to seeing the reactions and potential collaborations that we hope will result. The collection includes creators from various fields related to product design and the applied arts. So, in addition to utilitarian objects, furniture and lighting, you will see ceramics, textiles, flags, plant compositions and other proposals that we think would “work” in the environment of a hotel. We wish to gather an inhomogeneous set of works, which, however, are governed by a strong "aesthetic independence", demanding entirely the visitor's attention.

The participants of the exhibition are: Apostolos Porsanidis για το Ancient Greek Sandals, Alexandra Bissa, Camille Romagnani, Elena Xanthopoulou, Emmanouil CHOUS, Greece is for Lovers, Hoi Kaloi, KOPRIA, Laure Jaffuel & Elina Belou, Niklas, Punctilious Vexi, Studio Lav, Talc Studio, Thalia Maria Silver, Till 10 by Oto Marble Light, Yiannis Ghikas και Yiorgos Trichas.

Tetris #2, Emmanouil Chous

In the "Gran Turismo” exhibition that you curated for Adorno, you highlighted the disparate character of the design produced in our country. What other values do you think govern Greek design?

"Gran Turismo" for Adorno was our first time curating an exhibition and something we took upon with great passion and enthusiasm. The contact with the other designers was refreshing and we think the result was a special and fresh collection that effortlessly rose to the occasion on an international platform. With this collection we tried to approach “Greekness" without a common specific theme but by including people who have a connection with Greece, either as a place of origin or as a place of residence. We try not to be limited by labels and definitions of “Greekness” and Greek design. Nevertheless, if we had to attribute some characteristics to design in Greece, we would mention an almost reflexive predisposition to classical elegance as well as a preference for more "noble" materials.

Nomads, Studio Lav. Photo: Yannis Bournias

Do you think that exhibitions like "Club Vacay" help to promote Greek designers themselves but also their partnership with the tourism industry? What else could be done in your opinion?

Of course it is our intention, and it would be our pleasure if partnerships arise from this exhibition. The majority of hoteliers come into contact with design mainly through decoration, which provides a safe but relatively superficial aesthetic environment for hotels and is directly influenced by current trends. However, that is not enough as design is much more than deco. With "Club Vacay" we wish to highlight designers whose works can stand on their own, regardless of the general styling of a space. Hoteliers, therefore, can invest in a design experience for the guest, directly commissioning creators to create special and noteworthy objects that "last". We also believe that the tourism industry, and specifically accommodation, can become more intriguing by overcoming the one-dimensional emphasis on luxury and adopting unexpected and creative objects that create experiences.

Lum 1 pendant lamps, Talc Studio

We sincerely thank Greece is for Lovers and mark our calendars for November 18th, 2022 at MEC in Paiania.

greeceisforlovers.com

More on this year’s 100% Hotel Show here.