Venice, Italy - The St. Regis Venice, a luxury destination rich in history and tradition, inspired by the city's artistic heritage, marries contemporary innovation by hosting a series of distinguished guests and artists to allow travelers and art lovers visiting Venice to discover the city from a whole new perspective.

Ai Wei Wei for St. Regis Venice: White Chandelier

The St. Regis Venice, longstanding address to experience and discover contemporary art and design in Venice, in collaboration with Berengo Studio1989, the hotel's preferred partner in curating the works of art on display at the hotel, presents to international guests and venetians alike, the great Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, in the common sign of appreciation of contemporary art.

The artist's work, a majestic chandelier installed in the Grand Salon and made of iridescent crystal, is a sphere of light composed of glass branches twisting in large arcs around each other. It has been created by the artist as a tribute to Venice to celebrate the city's 1,600-years history and reformulates the traditional structure of the Venetian chandelier, presenting a unique artwork, handcrafted in collaboration with Berengo Studio's master craftsmen in Murano Glass.

With the chandelier, Ai Weiwei explores the traditional visual imagery of Venetian glass chandeliers and sets out to reinterpret this historical tradition using his own personal and unique visual language. As always, the artist catches us by surprise: upon closer inspection, the foliage and delicate flowers of the chandelier's baroque exterior give space to unexpected guests, objects and creatures that peek through the leaves with contemporary ferocity. A pair of handcuffs dangle from a branch, crabs climb over lushly blooming flowers and leaves, an isolated hand raises a finger in protest.

For those familiar with Ai Weiwei's works, these objects become real clues, symbols, and references to the artist's iconic works. The provocative hand surprises us, referencing Ai Weiwei's famous photo series "Study of Perspective," produced between 1995 and 2017, where the artist photographed his own hand with a raised middle finger in front of monuments and places of power and prestige around the world.

The crabs refer to the thousands of porcelain river crabs that crowded the 2010 installation titled "He Xie", a synonym for harmony and a phrase often used by the Chinese government, but that - according to the sources - was also a slang term for internet censorship. In this way, the chandelier by Ai Weiwei encloses a complex network of ideas and shapes, an interweaving of references and artistic connotations that characterize the entire work of the contemporary artist. The result is a work of art that the public can admire and rediscover with each new visit.

About The St. Regis Venice

The ultimate sophisticate and arbiter, The St. Regis Venice combines historic legacy with modern luxury in a privileged location beside the Grand Canal surrounded by views of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. Through a meticulous restoration of the unique collection of five Venetian palaces, the hotel’s design celebrates the modern spirit of Venice, boasting 130 guestrooms and 39 suites, many with furnished private terraces with incomparable views of the city. Uncompromising glamour extends naturally to the hotel’s restaurants and bars, which offers a range of exquisite dining and beverage options for Venetians and visitors alike including the private Italianate Garden (a refined space for local tastemakers and guests to mingle), Gio’s Restaurant & Terrace (the hotel’s signature restaurant), and The Arts Bar, where cocktails have been specially created to celebrate masterpieces of art. For celebratory gatherings and more formal functions, the hotel offers a choice of areas that can be easily transformed and personalised to host guests, supported by an extensive menu of inspirational cuisine. Crafted occasions are held in the Library, with its urbane atmosphere, in the well-appointed Lounge, or in its adjacent Astor Boardroom. The Canaletto Room embodies the contemporary spirit of a Venetian palazzo and impressive ballroom, presenting an ideal backdrop for significant celebrations. For more information, please visit stregisvenice.com.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts  

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at more than 45 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all its guests, delivered flawlessly by signature St. Regis Butler Service. For more information and new openings, visit stregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enrol for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com. 

About Marriott International  

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,300 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.  

Press contacts 

Sara Migliore, Director of Communications Italy | sara.migliore@marriott.com  

Domenica Maruzzo, PR Manager Italy, Marriott International | domenica.maruzzo@marriott.com

Ludovica Lambertenghi, Executive Pr Marriott International | ludovica.lambertenghi@marriott.com

Costanza Giustiniani, Executive Pr Marriott International | costanza.giustiniani@marriott.com