Video of Hall with the bottles shaping the number ‘200’.

To mark the opening of their 200th hotel, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts commissioned contemporary British artist Alexander Hall, known professionally as Haut de Gamme, to create a commemorative installation.

The artwork features 200 champagne bottles, each hand-painted by Hall in his signature drip technique. Inspired by the unique character of each InterContinental property, the individually designed bottles collectively form the number “200”.

Hall explained that his bottle paintings, often associated with celebration and togetherness, are meant to evoke positive emotions. He sought to capture the individuality, design, and locale of each InterContinental hotel, as well as the pioneering spirit of the brand’s founder, Juan Trippe.

Known for his distinctive drip style, Hall describes his artistic process as an interpretation that utilizes readily available materials.

He revealed that the project spanned three months, with the actual painting of the 200 bottles completed over six consecutive days and nights in a rented studio. In addition to his usual canvas materials, Hall incorporated unconventional elements such as diamond dust, gold leaf, and spray paint, sealing each bottle with a layer of varnish.

Hall aimed to visually convey the energy and vibrancy he experienced while creating the piece. He utilized meter-long sticks to achieve the desired effect, infusing the artwork with a dynamic quality that resonates with viewers.

Michael Martin, Regional General Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Batam, as well as General Manager of InterContinental Singapore, expressed his pride in being part of the momentous 200-hotel milestone. He highlighted InterContinental Singapore’s position as the flagship property in Southeast Asia and praised the artwork’s ability to encapsulate the heritage of the brand. He sees the installation as a source of inspiration for continued excellence in luxury hospitality in Singapore.

Martin emphasized the strong connection between the artwork’s storytelling aspect and the rich history of InterContinental hotels. He shared his personal favorites among the bottles – those representing Singapore, his current base, and Dubai Marina, a property he launched.

Tania Getzova, General Manager of InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, also celebrated the brand’s global impact, recognizing its significant presence on the world stage. She reaffirmed InterContinental’s commitment to providing authentic travel experiences and expressed excitement for the brand’s future growth.

Martin with one of his favorite
bottles, the one for the
InterContinental Singapore. Hall
said he wanted it to look clean and
minimal, and was inspired by the
colours of the Singapore flag, which
are red and white. “The idea behind it
was ‘clean’ and ‘simple’ and ’to the
point’. Over-complicating is quite
easy to do but I didn’t do that
because I wanted it to be
representative of Singapore,” he
said. 

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, a striking 18-story structure built into a former quarry, marks the brand’s 200th property globally. This architectural marvel in Southwestern Shanghai, China, features two above-ground floors and 16 below, including two submerged levels. In 2018, Asia also welcomed the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort in Vietnam.

Today, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts holds the title of the world’s largest luxury hotel brand, nearly double the size of its closest competitor. Further solidifying its position, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced its acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, a renowned luxury hospitality operator, in February 2019. Throughout its history, the InterContinental brand has remained at the forefront of luxury travel.

Fun facts:

• Each bottle design incorporates the national flag of the hotel’s location and reflects research about the area and the property itself.

• A valve at the top of each bottle conceals a wire, allowing for precise suspension height.

Explore:

View some of the 200 bottles on Facebook

Hashtags: #InterContinentalLife, #InterContinental200