When one thinks of gambling enterprises such as casinos, one does not instantly think of art galleries. As a result, it may come as a surprise to learn that many casinos are responsible for displaying some of the world’s most notable works of modern and traditional art.
The practice of collecting artwork to enhance and beautify the appearance of casino facilities is not new. Nevertheless, in recent years, there has been a shift toward the curation of comprehensive permanent collections and exhibitions that may compete with those found in the world’s top museums.
Many of these gems attract visitors from all around the world. It is a wonderful piece of advertising for the casino as well as a method of attracting additional clients to the establishment. When they arrive, the great majority of tourists head directly for the casino’s gaming floor. Those who come specifically for the casino will find the art to be an elegant and culturally relevant addition to their experience. The following are some of the best casino art collections in Las Vegas and throughout the world; the order in which they are displayed is not indicative of their relative quality.
Contemporary works of art can be found at the Palms Casino Resort
The Palms has been transformed into one of the world’s hippest venues as a result of a multimillion-dollar restoration, and the artwork is to blame for this transformation. This exhibition indisputably represents the modern era, which also includes works by Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and several more street artists in the manner of Banksy.
Damien Hirst, one of the most influential artists of the last thirty years, collaborated with the resort to design a piece of it as a collaborative project. Hirst designed a considerable number. In addition to producing several unique works, the hotel has a number of distinguishing features, such as the bar coasters. He is also in charge of designing what is claimed to be the most expensive hotel room in the world. Staying in the Empathy Suite is like staying inside a Damien Hirst painting, and it costs $100,000 per night.
Wynn Palace has both traditional and modern elements
Steve Wynn has long been interested in collecting pieces of art to decorate the various spaces of the Wynn Casino locations. A lot of the artworks that were previously stored in Las Vegas have now been relocated to Macau, which has taken over as the primary location for the Wynn art collection.
Wynn’s art is an eclectic celebration of beauty in all of its forms. His collection includes 18th-century vases, chinoiserie, and antique tapestries, as well as contemporary sculptures by artists such as Jeff Koons. The resort also hosts frequent exhibitions, bringing the works of some of the world’s most known painters to the tiny gambling peninsula of Macau for the first time.
Bellagio’s Fine Art Emporium
Steve Wynn was influential in the establishment of several successful casinos in Las Vegas before he was appointed CEO of Wynn Resorts. Wynn has spent his entire life as an enthusiastic art collector, and he founded the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art to display some of his collections. Throughout its history, the tiny gallery has displayed works by prominent painters such as Picasso, Monet, Warhol, and Titian, as well as several exhibitions that brought together the works of a variety of artists.
Despite its small size, the facility is regarded as one of the most renowned exhibition venues on the Las Vegas Strip. Thanks to a busy schedule of changing exhibitions, visitors may expect to see everything from Fabergé jewelry to Samurai armor, as well as modern sculpture and digital art. Visitors may also be served anything in between. An absolute must for any trip to Las Vegas.
Aria’s Artwork is on Display in Public Places
The MGM Aria Resort and Casino has Las Vegas’ first public art collection, which can be found both inside and outside the site. The pieces, which include both those that were specially commissioned pieces as well as those that were already in existence, work in tandem with the landscape to create an engaging show.
Among those who have contributed are well-known British sculptors like Antony Gormley, Richard Long, and Henry Moore. Richard Long is another notable contribution. It is a collection of fifteen different artists that have been thoughtfully picked to enhance and educate people. One of the sculptures is Ugo Rondinone’s colorful rock sculpture, which can be located in the desert just outside the Las Vegas city limits.
Beyond the Strip: Notable Collections from Other Cities
Although Las Vegas has the most casino art collections, there are several other locations across the world that combine gaming with high-quality art. Suzi Cordish, a former Smithsonian Institution board member, is in charge of curating the Cordish Art Collection, which is housed inside the Live! Casino and Hotel in Maryland. The exhibition features original artwork by Andy Warhol and Nick Cave, respectively.
Visitors to the Bulgarian city of Varna are also treated to a casino environment with beautiful artwork created by both local and foreign artists, as well as historic antiquities from the surrounding area. The five-star luxury beachfront resort on the Black Sea’s gorgeous coast is the ideal place to relax, gamble, and enjoy some culture.
In these galleries, guests’ safety is never genuinely an issue. Casino theft prevention methods are exceptionally strong, as evidenced by a large number of videos and documentaries, and as widely known. They have entire security agencies monitoring the building from every possible angle. Unfortunately, in this day and age, when everything is being uploaded to the internet, many of these collections are not accessible to the general public.
Certain casinos offer 3D tours. Instead, players are urged to play at online casinos. Even though modern technology such as SSL and 2FA makes it possible, playing in an online casino lacks some of the exhilaration of playing in a physical casino. However, the security provided by online casinos is comparable to that provided by land-based casinos. Casino art galleries, like the rest of us, are hoping for better days in the future.