Tag: photography

Reconnect With the World: How Travel
Can Free Your Creativity

Posted on by Jennifer Sanchez

When you sit down for a tea ceremony at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, you’re bound to hear the Japanese saying ichi-go ichi-e (literally, “one time, one meeting”). It’s a gentle reminder that every single moment – no matter how small – is a unique opportunity, never to be repeated.

For photographer and creative director Dave Krugman, noticing and capturing those moments, like his bamboo forest image above, is a way of life.

 


“One of the reasons I love to make photographs is because I find memory to be a very fleeting thing,” says Krugman. “For me, a photograph is a stimulus for a cascade of memories. And every time I look at a photo I’ve taken, it takes me back to that moment and the feelings I was having and the people I met and the environment I was in. That’s why photography is such an important part of my life.”

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In Kyoto, Four Seasons helped introduce Krugman to a variety of new people, environments and experiences: A Hotel guide led him on a tour of a 1,000-year-old bamboo forest, and the Concierge arranged a visit to a local lantern workshop, where artisan lantern masters taught him how to carefully layer thin sheets of paper over a frame to build his own mini lantern. Krugman also sat down at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto with Poppy Jamie – an author, entrepreneur, and founder of mindfulness app Happy Not Perfect – to record a podcast sharing more about his personal journey and perspective on how travel is essential to a creative life.

“I’ve learned that everything we look at, there’s a craftsman behind it,” he said.

Known for his moody yet vibrant cityscapes and street photography, Krugman cites travel as one of the biggest influences on not only his art, but on his relationship with the world around him. “There is nothing more inspiring and invigorating than travel,” he says. “It always shows me that the world is so much larger than we imagine, so much more diverse. Witnessing this complexity and the vastness of the world is a humbling feeling, and it inspires me. Photography allows me to connect more deeply with all I see and all I experience.”

In Kyoto – and when travelling with Four Seasons – the opportunities for connection are seemingly endless.

A man holds a clear umbrella and a camera while standing in a bamboo forest

Discover experiences that bring history to life

With ancient architectural masterpieces around every corner, family-owned shops selling handmade creations that have been made the same way for centuries, and a culinary scene featuring everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to chic craft cocktail bars and unassuming noodle joints serving up delightfully slurpable bowls of ramen, Kyoto is a city of artisans.

Explore Kyoto with Four Seasons

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“I love the attention to detail in Japan,” Krugman says. “I feel like everything has its place and its ritual and its reason. As somebody who is such a visual person, it’s a real treat to experience that.”

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The atmosphere at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is no different. Set around the 800-year-old Shakusui-en pond garden – itself immortalized in a 12th-century epic poem – every setting is created with care and intention. There is beauty and meaning in everything. All you have to do is be willing to connect with it.

“Being a photographer and traveller has absolutely shifted my perspective,” Krugman says. “If I’m in a place I’ve never been before, every single thing I see provides an incredible education about the area I’m in.”

Try activities outside your comfort zone

After travelling the world twice over, Krugman can attest to one of the most essential components of a successful trip, no matter the destination: Keeping an open mind.

“I try to leave a lot of breathing room for spontaneity and serendipity, because my favourite moments are when something happens, the path kind of diverges, and I’m exposed to this thing that I couldn’t have planned even if I wanted to,” he says.

This doesn’t just apply to travel, but to the creative process – and to some of the most worthwhile experiences. “The best experiences in my life have been things that are just outside my comfort zone,” says Krugman.

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In Kyoto, that could mean immersing yourself in the world of geiko and maiko – kimono-clad entertainers who perform traditional song and dance – at an ozashiki asobi dinner in the Gion geisha district. Learn the art of Zen meditation from the deputy head monk of Shoden-Eigen-in. Or head to Kibune train station for a walk along the river, passing crimson torii gates and fragrant cedar trees on your way to Kurama Temple for a traditional onsen bath. Being open to adventure can help you discover the city’s secrets.

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“My travel philosophy is to go into every situation with an open mind and a big smile,” Krugman says. “That attitude can open up so many doors for you.”

Uncover a new perspective on everyday life

For Krugman and for many of us, travel is much more than just a vacation. It offers a chance to connect with the world around us and discover new ways of doing things. Simply being somewhere new invites us to look at things differently, even something we do all the time – like sipping tea.

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Discover centuries of tradition and spiritual beauty at a Tea Master Ceremony in the Hotel’s Shakusui-tei – the intimate Tea Ceremony Room. A local tea master will teach you the history of the brew and the Japanese rituals for steeping, pouring and savouring the perfect cup – a flavourful taste of local customs.

“There is no better education than travel, because you’re exposed to so many new ideas, ideas you never even knew existed,” Krugman says. “And when you can incorporate that into your day-to-day life, you just grow with every new experience.”

More Four Seasons Experiences
to Free Your Creativity

A guitar leans up against a brown leather chair by a balcony

Discover your inner guitar hero at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, where you can borrow a premium guitar from the Guitar Concierge and strum and riff to your heart’s content in your guest room or on the Hotel’s scenic back lawn. Ready to take your show on the road? The Concierge can direct you to one of Austin’s inspiring locales.

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Set out from Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero and see the city through a new lens during a private photo class with award-winning photographer Adam Jacobs. He’ll teach you to how to capture images of the iconic landmarks near the Hotel, sharing tips and tricks to help you take the perfect shot.

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Set up your easel in a natural clearing just a light 15-minute hike from Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. There, locally renowned artist Nigel Henri will help you sketch the picture-perfect setting during a personalized art class. Afterwards, your sketch will be scanned to create your own postcards, which will be mailed to your home along with your original artwork for framing.

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The city of Marrakech inspired famed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, as you’ll see during a private tour of Villa Oasis, the home he shared with Pierre Bergé. Afterwards, head to Musée Yves Saint Laurent for a private tour, and then return to Four Seasons Resort Marrakech for a dinner inspired by his Moroccan motifs.

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For 22 years, Zohrab Markarian was the official palace photographer for the late King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan. Now he’s partnering with Four Seasons Hotel Amman to introduce you to the city’s beauty during a tour of some of its most picturesque landmarks – sharing photography tips and capturing images of you and your experience along the way.

RECONNECT THROUGH LIFE-CHANGING TRAVEL

Your journey begins here

Kyoto lanterns

Double Exposure:
Photographer Nicolas Ruel
Captures the Majestic Serengeti

Posted on by Bifen Xu
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Photographer Nicolas Ruel

Nicolas Ruel has always viewed the world a little bit differently. “I never wanted to do what everyone else was doing,” the photographer says. “I wanted to see things from a unique perspective.”

In 2007, Ruel started experimenting with a new technique, shooting a subject with an eight-second exposure. “I start the exposure, cut it, turn the camera, count in my head, close and come back,” he says. “Visually, there’s a choreography to this style.”

He describes his technique as taking a photo and then putting a second photo on top of it so that the two pictures blend together. The resulting image, which he prints on stainless steel, seems to capture movement.

Ruel travelled to 70 cities across 40 countries to produce his main series, Cityscape, Civilization and Industrial, featuring emblematic urban centres with a futuristic angle.

Recently, he had the chance to visit Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania as part of the Envoy by Four Seasons, a program that gives storytellers and artists in a range of genres the chance to immerse themselves in a destination and create work inspired by their experiences.

Here, Ruel shares highlights from his journey.

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Guests often see elephants gathering beside the Lodge’s infinity pool.

What most excited you about participating in the Envoy by Four Seasons program?

My fascination with the Maasai people goes back years. I wanted to share their way of life – one so different from my own – in my own way, with an artistic documentary approach.

How do you describe your creative process?

It starts with a passion for a particular subject or idea, and then from there I think of the best way to make that idea come to life through my photography and using different media to print.

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Ruel captures a member of the Maasai.

Is there any artistic style comparable to your technique?

There’s a lot of similarity between what I do and cubism, where artists show two angles of the same subject. The idea is the same: A subject looks different from a different perspective.

How did seeing the Serengeti from a hot-air balloon change your sense of the landscape?

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a chance for a bird’s-eye view of the savannah at the break of dawn. At sunrise, the air is still and allows for a unique perspective in terms of scale and photographic opportunity to shoot the wildlife below. Silence was my friend, as the animals below were undisturbed.

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A pair of lions gaze out into the plains.

How is photographing wildlife unlike photographing people?

With people, trust is made much more easily, whether verbal or non-verbal. When photographing animals, I enter the situation with patience and rely heavily on instinct. Shooting the unpredictable is much more challenging.

What did you learn about going on tracking expeditions with the Maasai?

It let me move to the rhythm of my own pulse, guided by their steps, jumps, smiles and passion for life. And almost rubbing shoulders with animals in the natural environment made me realize how fragile life is and how important it is to live every moment to the fullest.

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Four Seasons Envoy Nicolas Ruel explores the Serengeti through photography.

What was your wildlife highlight?

I had almost given up on photographing a cheetah, but while heading to the airport we spotted two. They were in predatory mode, hunting gazelles. They aligned themselves in preparation to attack, and at full speed they were off. I was lucky enough to get my shot. Sometimes the moment you are waiting for happens when you least expect it.

Do you think your work subtly helps people think about conservation?

I hope my work inspires people to look deeper, not only into the work itself but into the fragility of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. If people are able to make an emotional connection to this world and its wildlife, then my hope is that they are moved to address the issues that threaten the animals’ existence.

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From a hot-air balloon, Ruel captured images of the savannah coming to life.

What did you learn about yourself during this trip?

Discovering different cultures allows me to deepen my knowledge of man and his environment, but most of all to be as close as possible to my own emotions. This experience in the Serengeti has taught me the importance of living in flow. I found myself deep in my work and losing track of time completely. Being in this flow state allowed me to get closer to my source of inspiration – the animals – without thinking about the next shot. It was a form of meditation and something I will carry forward with me on my next adventure.

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Ruel explored the beautiful landscape of the Serengeti with Maasai guides.

All photography courtesy Muse Storytelling

Your Journey Begins Here

How will you step out of your comfort zone?

Serengeti sky

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A Picture-Perfect Austin Tour – Plus What Your Phone Can’t Capture

Posted on by Stirling Kelso Neff

There’s no shortage of shareable moments to be had in Texas’ quirky capital. What with street murals, the ever-changing skyline and restaurants serving up fare as photogenic as it is delectable, many of the best snaps are within walking distance of Four Seasons Hotel Austin, which is even more camera-ready these days thanks to a recent renovation.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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We tapped Four Seasons staffers for insider tips. Here, their recommendations on what to see, do, eat and shoot on your next Austin getaway – including a 1916 Italianate villa and the best bratwurst in town – as well as the experiences photos can’t do justice to.

 

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1. South Congress Avenue

This pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare, just a stroll across Congress Bridge from
Four Seasons Austin, is full of insta-worthy spots. “From the funky murals to the street performers, there truly is nothing else like it,” says Assistant Guest Services Manager Blaire Roberts. While most gather – even stand in line – for photos in front of street art that reads “I love you so much,” we also love the “Willie for President” mural, a storey-high tribute to Willie Nelson, one of Austin’s favourite musicians, on the side of clothing boutique Stag Provisions. The capitol building and skyline, captured from a South Congress crosswalk, compose a stunner in square form.

Outside the Frame

South Congress is one of Austin’s top shopping streets. Here you’ll find ByGeorge, which carries top brands like Marni, Saint Laurent and Stone Island. Across the street, jeweller Kendra Scott, who got her start in the Lone Star State capital, displays her colourful baubles in a freshly opened flagship store with a café and an outdoor mural.

2. Central Library

There’s a lot more to snap than bookshelves at the new Central Library, a Lake Flato–designed building that’s already at the heart of Austin’s evolving identity. Newcomers stand in wonder –with camera phones at the ready – in the atrium, where gravity-defying bridges and staircases connecting the building’s six storeys conjure scenes from Hogwarts. Travelling with kids? Don’t miss readings in the children’s wing, which has a toy room and educational computer games.

Outside the Frame

“Stick around for lunch or a cocktail at the Cookbook Café,” says Executive Assistant Christine Bloemsma. The airy restaurant on the library’s second floor has floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor patio. The fun part: Every dish on the menu comes from the celebrated chefs’ cookbooks that can be borrowed from the library.

 

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3. Lady Bird Lake

Whether you’re walking or jogging along the water’s edge, the hike and bike trail around Austin’s Lady Bird Lake – known to locals as Town Lake – is one of the best places to people-watch. While some of the waterway’s most photogenic spots are steps from Four Seasons Austin, the trail’s east side, expanded in 2014 to the tune of $26 million, sees fewer cameras. Its contemporary overwater boardwalks afford striking skyline views.

Outside the Frame

Want to get out on the water? Stop by Live Love Paddle, just south of the hike and bike trail’s boardwalk, to rent kayaks or Austin’s preferred mode of water-bound transport – stand-up paddleboards.

 

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4. Clark’s Oyster Bar

A polished nautical theme is well executed throughout this neighbourhood restaurant. Waiters sport Taylor Stitch Oxfords and striped waist aprons, and the dinnerware is a replica of the U.S. Navy’s mess hall china. You’ll want to snap pictures of the oysters, flown in daily from both coasts, and even the bread plate – sourdough served with Maldon salt and slices of bright red radishes – before diving into the Gulf red fish, served with a smoked caper and paprika vinaigrette. Request a front terrace table, shaded by a striped yellow awning that bears the restaurant’s nautical coordinates.

Outside the Frame

Around the corner from Clark’s you’ll find the flagship for Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand that got its start here in Austin and now has shops in New York’s SoHo and Georgetown in DC. Browse leggings, running shorts and tops that look as fitting in a coffee shop as they do mid-marathon.

 

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5. Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin

This adobe-style sanctuary at the Blanton Museum of Art, on the edge of the University of Texas at Austin campus, matches Houston’s Rothko Chapel in vision and civic significance. “It’s the only building Kelly ever designed, and it stands as the ultimate presentation of his love of light and colour,” says Hotel Concierge Steven Beasley. No two pictures of the serene interior space are alike thanks to contemporary stained-glass windows that reflect, glitter and silhouette, depending on the light and the weather.

Outside the Frame

Book and film lovers can’t miss a trip to the University of Texas’ Harry Ransom Center, where drafts and manuscripts by writers such as James Joyce and Norman Mailer are preserved and exhibited. The centre is also home to a 1455 Gutenberg Bible.

6. Laguna Gloria

This 1916 Italianate villa is now an extension of the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). The waterfront grounds are dotted with sculptures by the likes of Tom Friedman and Wangechi Mutu, many of which make a whimsical addition to any photo. “Don’t miss the guided tour about the original owner, Clara Driscoll,” says Assistant Guest Services Manager Blaire Roberts.

Outside the Frame

“While you’re in the area, take a drive up to another scenic spot, Mount Bonnell,” Roberts says. It’s a short hike to this Hill Country lookout, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the river and the growing downtown skyline.

 

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7. Forever Bicycles

Pedal one of the Hotel’s complimentary cruiser bikes to document this installation, a towering piece by Ai Weiwei. “Something of an optical illusion, the 32-foot-high [9.75-metre] artwork includes nearly 1,200 bikes and is meant to represent a part of Weiwei’s everyday life and culture in China,” Concierge Elise Longueve says. To many Austinites, the work has an added meaning, honouring the city’s passionate bike culture.

Outside the Frame

Pop into Alta’s Café, just down the hill from Forever Bicycles, for a post-ride smoothie or glass of wine. The eatery’s expansive porch, a launch pad for crew teams, overlooks Lake Austin.

 

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8. Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden

Housed in a pair of historic buildings, this popular beer and brat house has a snap-worthy backyard with social picnic tables under strings of twinkling lights. Beer aficionados will also appreciate the suds selection: “I always order a beer I haven’t tried before,” says Marcus Knox, who drives the Hotel’s house car. “There are more than a hundred on tap, so that’s not as hard as it sounds.”

Outside the Frame

Banger’s is located on Rainey Street, a popular neighbourhood for nightlife where residential bungalows have been converted into bars and restaurants. Start the night off with an old-fashioned at Half Step, just two doors down from Bangers.

 

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9. The Austin Bats

Austin has the unusual distinction of being home to the largest urban bat population in North America. Over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the city’s central Congress Bridge, and flood out above an army of iPhones at dusk from March through November. You won’t be the only person posting a picture of this phenomenon, but you can avoid the crowds by jumping on an evening paddleboat tour and taking in the show from the water.

Outside the Frame

Head back to the Hotel for an cocktail en suite. Your bartender will roll in the property’s margarita cart and shake up your drink sofa-side. There’s no effort required on your part, but you do have to answer one important question: Salt, or no salt?

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will inspiration strike you next?

City at dusk

An Instagram Tour of Singapore – Plus What Your Phone Can’t Capture

Posted on by Katie Lockhart

Singapore is an Instagrammer’s paradise. Peranakan shophouses, which reflect the deep Chinese roots of the local population, line the streets like exquisite doll’s houses as modern glass high-rises like Four Seasons Hotel Singapore aim at the sky. Once you’ve got the perfect shot of your suite – the Hotel has unveiled newly redesigned interiors with fascinating Singaporean details to celebrate the Lion City’s 200th anniversary – head out to these picture-worthy places, recommended by our experts.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

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Singapore Botanic Gardens

It’s easy to take a quiet moment for yourself as you wander the sprawling 82 hectares (200 acres) of Singapore Botanic Gardens, the city’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. “In this 160-year-old tropical garden, you can take a stroll and enjoy a breath of fresh air,” says Wahidah Jabbar, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Guest Recognition Specialist. The National Orchid Garden is the most popular stop – no surprise here, as it’s the largest collection in the world.

Outside the Frame:

Dress in your Sunday best for dinner at The White Rabbit, in an elegantly restored chapel from the 1930s. The acclaimed prix fixe menu is made up of classic, exquisitely plated European dishes.

National Gallery Singapore

The former Supreme Court building and the old City Hall have been combined to make the largest museum in Singapore. The National Gallery commingles modern architecture, a historic façade, stately staircases and an impressive collection of Southeast Asian art. Don’t miss the rooftop bar’s unobstructed views of the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

Outside the Frame:

Inside the same building is the National Kitchen by Violet Oon, serving elevated Peranakan-style food. “The satay is not to be missed,” says Christopher Tsoi, Guest Experience Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, but for something different, try the beef cheek braised in a spicy tamarind gravy with gula melaka [a type of palm sugar].”

Koon Seng Road

Travellers from around the globe come for a photo shoot in Koon Seng Road, Singapore’s most colourful street. This row of Peranakan shophouses is painted in bright hues that preserve its Chinese history.

Outside the Frame:

Laksa, a spicy noodle soup, is a staple in Singapore, and 328 Katong Laksa is an institution. “Be sure to try one of Singapore’s most famous laksa there, where Gordon Ramsay had a cook-off in 2013,” says Sean Chew, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Guest Relations Officer.

Old Hill Street Police Station

With 927 rainbow-painted shutters, Old Hill Street Police Station might just be the prettiest former jail in the world. Now home to the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, this national monument is best photographed from across the street.

Outside the Frame:

Named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2018, The Old Man is just a 20-minute walk away. “This bar’s cocktail menu is inspired by Ernest Hemingway,” says Yanlin Tan, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Reservations and Telephones Manager. “Be sure to take a seat at the bar, as it has a cold counter to keep your drinks cool.”

Tan Teng Niah

Tan Teng Niah, a Chinese villa painted in a crayon box of colours, is another example of what makes this vibrant city a photographer’s dream. Built in 1900, it’s the last Chinese bungalow standing in Little India. And as of this year, it’s for sale.

Outside the Frame:

Across the street at Tekka Hawker Centre is one of the best street food stalls in Singapore. “Try 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles for just $4. It’s run by Lu Ruifang, a finance graduate turned third-generation hawker,” says Isylana Ismail, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Guest Services Manager. “Her recipe was passed down to her from her grandfather.”

Gardens By The Bay

An admittedly touristy spot, thanks to a marvellous collection of 1.5 million flowers and plants spread over a dozen different attractions, Gardens by the Bay is nevertheless worth a night-time visit for the light-and-music show known as Garden Rhapsody. “Get there around 6:00 pm so that you have some time to explore and find a good spot on the grass to enjoy the show,” says Kamarl John, restaurant chef at One-Ninety at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Outside the Frame:

Started by KF Seetoh – the champion of Singapore street food and a friend of Anthony Bourdain – Makansutra Gluttons Bay gathers together a fantastic selection of food stalls serving local favourites like Hainanese chicken rice and chilli crab.

Fort Canning Park

This relatively small hill near downtown Singapore has seen its share of history – including the arrival of British forces in 1819 – but today the green space hosts free festivals, concerts and parties. “Keep an eye out for the Shakespeare in the Park productions in May and Films at the Fort outdoor movies in August,” Tsoi says. Pro tip: The park’s heavily Instagrammed spiral staircase can be difficult to find. It’s not actually inside the park, but at the end of Fort Canning Tunnel underpass just outside the entrance.

Outside the Frame:

You may recognize Chijmes as the beautiful Catholic church from the wedding scene in Crazy Rich Asians. In fact, it’s a neoclassical former convent redesigned into a complex with dozens of bars and restaurants.

Jewel Changi Airport

Singapore’s Changi Airport is a destination in itself. Consistently ranked as the best airport in the world, it boasts an addition, Jewel, that has locals and tourists pulling out their cell phones. “Get your insta-worthy shots at the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, then check out the Canopy Bridge with its glass-bottom walkway,” says Gladys Lim, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Guest Relations Officer, of the 10-storey complex, which opened in April.

Outside the Frame:

For a unique dining experience, ride a bumboat out into the water. “At Smith Marine Floating Restaurant,” Lim says, “you can catch your own fish at the Smith Marine and have it cooked on the spot any way you like it.”

Your Journey Begins Here

Discover picture-perfect Singapore.

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The Best Art You Haven’t Seen in Miami and Bogotá

Posted on by Alison Miller

Galleries on the verge. A Cindy Sherman right in your hotel. You can brave the crowds (and the parties) of an international art festival or schedule around it, but don’t overlook the galleries, museums and installations that keep these art capitals abuzz year round. We’ve gathered insider tips on how best to explore the scene from Four Seasons team members on the ground.

ICA in Miami

If you examine the original architecture of the storied Surf Club, now part of
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, you might spot some similarities to the Bass, Miami’s cutting-edge contemporary art museum. Though both have been expanded and renovated, their original structures were designed by acclaimed art deco architect Russell Pancoast in the 1930s. The parallels don’t end there. Much of the art on display inside The Surf Club was created by artists whose work appears, or has appeared, at the Bass.

 

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“The primary exhibition for this season is from Italian photographer Paola Pivi, who has two pieces on display,” says Gabriela Navarro, the Head of Creative at the Hotel. “One of them, an alligator roaming through whipped cream, was actually conceived of here.” Last year, the Bass exhibited works by Ugo Rondinone, and a painting from his Target series remains on display in the Hotel’s Marybelle Penthouse Suite. “We have a fabulous collection of contemporary art at the Hotel,” Navarro says. “I don’t think very many people know this, but we have a Sterling Ruby and a Cindy Sherman as well.”

Several prominent private collectors in Miami have art on view in spaces open to the public. “You have the Rubell Family Collection, the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse and the de la Cruz Collection,” Navarro says. “ICA, the Institute of Contemporary Art, where multiple collectors display their works in one space, opened last year.”

Or you could take a boat tour, she says. “Some collectors have large pieces from prominent artists displayed in their gardens on Indian Creek Island, right across from The Surf Club. So if you’re water bound, you’ll see beautiful works from artists like Richard Serra, Ugo Rondinone and Alexander Calder.”

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Bogotá street art

Both Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá and Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina offer exclusive passes to BARCÚ (Bogotá Art and Culture), a festival in the city’s La Candelaria neighbourhood that’s an ideal complement, or alternative, to ARTBO. (The two take place concurrently every October.) Four Seasons guests get a private tour guide and VIP access to exhibitions and workshops that span art, music, dance, film and food.

 

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Widely considered the art capital of Latin America, Bogotá is home to more than 100 galleries. In addition to the renowned art festivals, devote a day or two to browsing the city’s San Felipe, La Macarena and Quinta Camacho neighbourhoods. One gallery in particular not to miss: FLORA ars+natura, which offers studio space and residences to artists creating works with themes of nature and the Earth. It was established in 2015 by José Roca, a former curator of Latin American art at the Tate in London, who returned to his hometown to open it.

 

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“It’s an independent space for contemporary art in San Felipe,” says Paula Gamboa, Four Seasons Director of PR and Marketing Communications. “The area is known for its working-class roots and mechanical engineering businesses; it had no galleries at all prior to the arrival of José Roca.” Back at either hotel, your art tour continues: Both properties feature modern art from Colombian artists like Leyla Cárdenas and Vicky Neumann.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you seek inspiration next?

Cityscape