Beautiful and well-known artwork seldom springs to mind when thinking of casinos. People often picture glitzy casinos with spinning roulette wheels and other matching visuals when they think of gambling. But, interestingly, this is not entirely the case.
A few years back, players had limited options regarding online gambling, and many would even consider visiting land-based outlets. Thanks to advancements in technology and innovations, there are now real money online casinos and several betting establishments in nearly every part of the world today. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped players who love the real casino atmosphere and settings from visiting land-based outlets.
Casinos frequently display some of the world’s most extravagant and expensive works of art. While some casinos have impressive art collections worthy of a museum, others have some of the best in the business. Consequently, you can find rare and valuable artefacts in these institutions. Let’s look at some well-known casinos that display famous paintings and artwork:
The Bellagio Hotel & Casino
Bellagio’s fine art gallery in Las Vegas is one of the world’s most prestigious. It houses various artworks, paintings, and other objects in its ever-changing Art collection. Bellagio loans these artworks from some of the world’s most prestigious museums and art galleries. Its galleries opened in 1998, and since then, a long list of artists have displayed their work in the venue. Additionally, there are 238 Fabergé eggs and works by Vincent van Gogh and Edgar Degas. Other notable works in the casino are those by Andy Warhol and David Hockney.
The Wynn Palace
Collections of Asian and Western artworks abound in this hotel’s casino in Macau. Its art collection includes modern works like Jeff Koon’s Tulips, Asian rugs, and Buccleuch vases from the 18th century. You will also likely find large Cinderella High Heels and other stainless steel pop-art sculptures by Liao Yibai.
The Wynn Palace places a high value on sharing, which is why it sets these artworks in high-traffic public areas. This casino celebrates sharing beautiful art pieces with its customers by combining the best of the old and the new. In their view, art is a one-of-a-kind creation meant to be appreciated.
Palms Casino Resort
At this hotel, Las Vegas once again dispels the notion that the city does not have enough culture. The casino hotel has recently undergone a major renovation and features artwork worth millions of dollars on its walls. As a result, you’ll be surrounded by household names, whether relaxing in the cocktail lounge or dining in the restaurant. For instance, one of its private suites features a quartet of Jean-Michel Basquiat and a single woman’s restroom designed by Scott Hove in the shape of an edible cake. Above the front desk, you’ll see Olivia Steele’s ‘Wish you were here!’ in neon pink on a bright blue backdrop.
YBA artist Damien Hirst’s art collection is the icing on the cake of the $620 million renovations. You’ll find his works in the “Unknown Bar” and the “Empathy Suite,” one of the world’s most expensive hotel rooms. Additionally, guests can spend a weekend in the company of many of Damien Hirst’s most famous works for a $200,000 fee.
Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Regarding art collections, it’s not just Vegas casinos that go all out. This 350,000 sq. ft. hotel has an impressive art collection adorning its walls in Hanover, Maryland. The Cordish Collection, curated by Suzi Cordish, features more than 40 works of art, including Andy Warhol’s Dollar Sign (9), Nick Cave’s Tondo mixed-media piece, and Charlie Ahn’s Void.
How Art Ended up in Casinos
Even if the connection between art and gambling isn’t immediately apparent, it’s easy to see why the two go so well together. There is a lot of money in art, and most art collectors are also big-time gamblers. As a result, casinos use various forms of art to attract customers. Some casinos also turn to exhibitions rather than dry artworks to pique the interest of guests.
Furthermore, casinos frequently use specific art to create and promote their brand image. They have, therefore, boldly decided to use art in the same way that museums do. However, they do not need to build extensive galleries or set aside large areas to install sculptures and paintings. Instead, they exhibit artworks in the casino resort’s lobby or reception area, where guests spend the majority of their time. Thereby allowing visitors to express their emotions and feelings and, more importantly, associate these emotions with the specific casinos.
Bottomline
Without a doubt, the presence of famous artworks on the walls of a casino adds to the opulence and extravagance of the setting, and it appeals to patrons who favor and frequent traditional casinos rather than online casinos. Hence, the paintings aid in attracting and retaining customers. That is why big-name casinos spend a lot of money on eye-catching artwork.
As evidenced by the above examples, there are a lot of iconic artworks in casinos. So, if you’re a fan of the arts, you’ll want to visit the exhibits, even if you’re not a gambler. Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if you enjoy the aesthetic feeling these artworks bring.
