Park Hyatt unviels influential Rauschenberg artwork in Chicago

Published on : Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts today announced the unveiling of an original art piece from iconic contemporary artist, Robert Rauschenberg, which will hang in the lobby of Park Hyatt Chicago. Titled Tropicana/Channel, the piece speaks to the Park Hyatt legacy from its founder, Jay Pritzker, who had a vision that the brand would be an extension of his own home and would revolve around great food and wine, great art and the best level of service. The display of the Rauschenberg, which is on loan from Hyatt’s Executive Chairman Tom Pritzker, is inspired by that heritage.
“Chicago is known for its art landmarks – whether it be The Picasso in Daley Plaza, Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, or The Art Institute of Chicago,” said Peter Roth, General Manager of Park Hyatt Chicago. “We are very proud to add to the city’s prestigious art reputation with this piece, and as a part of the hotel’s art collection, it will add real value to each guest, tourist, or Chicago native that walks through our doors.”
Tropicana/Channel is part of Rauschenberg’s rarely seen Cardboard and Related Pieces series. It was created in 1971 amid the chaos of Rauschenberg’s move from New York to Florida, which confined him to using only the materials he had on hand – cardboard boxes.
“It is fitting to have this work, which was created while Rauschenberg unpacked his own boxes, unveiled in Chicago as Park Hyatt unpacks its boxes in new locations set to open in New York, Vienna, and Zanzibar, among the 16 hotels currently under development,” said Katherine Melchior Ray, Vice President of Luxury Brands for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “The Park Hyatt brand is all about providing guests with rare and intimate experiences that go beyond the typical hotel stay. Whether in Chicago, Buenos Aires or Shanghai, we feel that giving guests access to the very best contemporary art keeps the brand relevant and true to its long-standing legacy.”
Park Hyatt hotels have invested in world-class contemporary art, architecture and design as an expression of the personalized experience offered in each Park Hyatt hotel since the first one opened in Chicago more than 30 years ago. Today, artwork at Park Hyatt hotels includes: Lucio Fontana’s 1984 sculpture “Testa Di Medusa” in the Cupola Lobby Lounge at Park Hyatt Milan; six works by Polish-American painter Ed Paschke that hang in Le Bar at Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme; and a 570-square-foot mural by Sol LeWitt that the artist painted specially for the Park Hyatt Zurich foyer.
Rauschenberg’s Tropicana/Channel is on temporary display at Park Hyatt Chicago, replacing the 1968 Gerhard Richter painting “Domplatz Mailand,” which was recently sold at Sotheby’s. The hotel plans to rotate in another contemporary art piece this summer.