Kristjana x The Rio Olympics
In July 2016, the Belmond hotel group welcomed the world to Rio de Janeiro with a series of incredible art installations created by Kristjana at the city’s landmark beach-front hotel, Belmond Copacabana Palace. Inspired by cartography and nature, the most dramatic of Kristjana's creations was a butterfly-themed theatrical light projection that had butterflies gliding over the seven-story high hotel façade every evening for two weeks.
Each butterfly carried a different country’s flag on its wings, designed to represent the coming together of nations from around the globe in celebration of cultural diversity. Belmond adopted the butterfly as a symbol of hope, of strength found in fragile beauty, and the promise of new life and a journey well-travelled. To keep visitors guessing, there were a number of different butterfly and celebratory themed projections, all carrying the message ‘Rio Welcomes the World’.
To see a video from the launch event click here
Avenida Window Artwork
Kristjana also created an impactful window exhibit, seen from Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, behind the hotel, depicting previous host Olympic cities. The series of artworks honoured the spirit of hospitality demonstrated by past and present Olympic cities, including London, Athens and Rio, and extended goodwill to the next host city of Tokyo.
Inside the Hotel
Kristjana also created two stunning map artworks -‘Belmond Map of the World’ and ‘Rio Welcomes the World’ - which were hung over the reception and concierge desks at the hotel.
