When you step into a hotel, what’s often the first thing that greets you? It’s not just the concierge or the check-in desk – it’s the art. Art in hotels isn’t merely décor; it provides a glimpse into the kind of experience you can expect. In high-end establishments, art isn’t just commissioned – it’s meticulously curated to weave together a narrative that enhances the guest experience, with each piece being unique.
Hotels today care more than ever about what’s hanging on their walls, and nowhere is this more evident than at The Lana, the newly opened Dorchester Collection hotel in Dubai.
The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Dubai, designed by Foster + Partners and internally crafted by the Parisian duo Gilles & Boissier, marks the first Dorchester Collection hotel in the Middle East. Over six years, the duo has transformed this space into a visual canvas that’s as ambitious as it is unique. Their approach to interior design is a fascinating blend of Dubai’s rich cultural heritage and its present-day modernity. The art and design are more than just aesthetic choices – they’re carefully commissioned statements that truly reflect the city and its never-ending evolution.
Dubai is known for its dramatic skyline and opulent lifestyle, but its desert landscape and culture also provide a much deeper narrative. Gilles & Boissier have harnessed these elements to craft an environment that’s visually striking yet restrained.
On stepping into the lobby, the eye naturally travels from the ceiling to the floors in a fluid, relaxing manner. The shades of blush pink, greys and a variety of neutral tones are beautifully displayed through the interiors and art, creating a sense of place rather than just a hotel foyer. It’s a space in which guests are encouraged to linger a bit longer and take all the time they want to absorb the artwork before exploring even more artistic endeavours that await in the rooms.
There is a collaborative effort involving both local and global artists, with each work of art strategically positioned to align with the unique vision of the artist and its specific location within the hotel. At The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Dubai, guests will find over fifty commissioned pieces, offering visitors a deeper connection to Dubai’s culture, the hotel’s ethos and the eponymous brand.
Art is inherently an interpretation, and its true beauty lies in what each individual sees through their own eyes. While an artist may use elements like sand from across the Emirates to symbolise beginnings, or gold and shimmer to reflect innovation and growth, the essence of each piece is open to personal contemplation. It’s in this space of pondering, discussing, and appreciating that the full impact of art unfolds, inviting each viewer to uncover their own meaning and connection to the work.
The check-in area sets the tone. Australian artist Nancy Tschetner, who has a strong connection with nature, is renowned for her innovative use of sand. She was tapped to create portraits of the ruling family of Dubai for the hotel, celebrating the influential figures who have guided the city’s growth and shaped its identity and progress. Using sand from the city’s own environment, Nancy’s work symbolises calmness, with millions of sand grains coming together to form serene yet powerful images.
The sand tones continue through the lobby. Emirati visual artist Latifa Saeed created a wall installation with glass and sand to depict Dubai’s land and history. Using regional materials, Latifa’s work reflects the city’s transformation from its ancient origins to its modern magnificence, layering different elements to narrate the UAE’s journey. The sand varies in colour from golden brown to black, showcasing the diversity of sand from across the Emirates. Reflections, whether by day or night, shimmer on each glass plate, allowing the light to be captured from various angles.
The Honeycomb at The Dorchester in London is a well-known piece of art from the hotel’s sister establishment. In Dubai too, a similar piece has residency, though this one is larger and bolder. It makes a striking focal point on a vivid pink mosaic wall in the hotel lobby. British artist Sophie Coryndon explored the intricate beauty of honeycombs using a cast and gilded Jesmonite installation. This technique allows the artwork to capture the detailed geometry of a honeycomb while offering a captivating interplay of light and shadow. It’s a showstopper for sure.
Other notable pieces to check out include Flavie Audi’s seven-piece glass installation in the lobby, which captures the vibrant energy and light of Dubai. Her work highlights the city’s futuristic spirit, adding a dynamic and contemporary edge to the artistic ensemble at the hotel.
Sergio Ruffato, the Franco-American sculptor, has designed a monumental vertical wall installation composed of thousands of brass balls for the location. This striking piece serves as a metaphor for Dubai’s architectural evolution from a modest landscape to a city of extraordinary structures.
Displayed in the same space are British sculptor Matthew Simmonds’ four intricately carved miniature models of architectural spaces from stone and marble. His work reflects the transformation of Dubai from an untouched land into a thriving metropolis, celebrating both the city’s natural and man-made beauty.
Barcelona-based artist Krystel Cárdenas revisited eight antique objects from her homeland, rendered in wax. These pieces offer a window into the region’s rich cultural heritage, presenting a multifaceted view of its history and traditions.
Rebecca Gouldson, a London-based artist specialising in etching and metalworking, has crafted a wall installation celebrating gold. She creates works that are sensitive to the environment and this particular piece underscores gold’s significance as a symbol of heritage and exchange, tying together the past and present.
German artist Katrin Paul, inspired by her thirteen years in Japan, has created an installation of pocket-sized books with drilled paper. This piece alludes to Dubai as a blank page, continuously evolving and transcending the boundaries set by nature.
On the lower ground level of the hotel, towards the promenade, there are two pieces to look out for. Just outside the elevator exit is a stunning disco ball in the form of a regular dodecahedron, created by French artist Mathilde Labrouche. This geometric shape is intended to attract positive energies, adding a touch of cosmic harmony to the hotel’s artistic collection. If you stand closely, you will see different textures and colours.
And then there is the French artist Margaux Pecorari. She has designed a series of brass sculptures that capture and reflect light in ways reminiscent of Dubai’s ever-changing skyline. The three-piece installation progresses from scattered brass slips to a mountain-like form, culminating in an organised, skyscraper-inspired masterpiece – which is open to other interpretations too. Her work dynamically interacts with its environment, mirroring the city’s evolving luminosity.
Throughout the hotel, guests have the chance to discover wondrous art with layers and textures that evoke the sea’s waves and the patterns of sand dunes. These elements are intricately woven into the hotel’s interior design via free-standing pieces, adding depth.
At The Lana, art isn’t just a decorative element; it’s the very essence of the hotel, offering a unique lens through which to experience the city. Every corner invites exploration, turning a stay into a journey through Dubai’s ever-evolving narrative.
Visit dorchestercollection.com.
