Art at The Fifth
| Our vision of art at The Fifth is inspired by the spirit of a flâneur—one who wanders, observes, and discovers. Art speaks volumes, making bold statements, whispering secrets, and delighting the senses. It ignites inspiration, evokes joy, and sometimes touches on the bittersweet, offering a lens through which we understand diverse cultures, histories, and the human condition. Artworks in the collection of The Fifth are displayed throughout the hotel, serving as portals to different mindsets, places, and times. Each piece invites guests to explore with a curious heart, enriching their stay with new perspectives and deeper connections. The Path of Reimagining Since its inception, a love of art has been at the heart and soul of The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The Creative Director of The Fifth, Stephen Doyle, was asked to collaborate on creating the visual identity of the hotel. With a background in graphic design, this was new territory for Doyle, but he was ready for the challenge. Although a lover of art, Doyle explains, “Because it was not in my ‘wheelhouse,’ it offered the opportunity to re-think, freshly, from the ground up, how we might infiltrate a visitor’s stay with surprise and experiences that might provoke thought, reflection, or contemplation.” Over a century ago, The Fifth Avenue Hotel site was a Fifth Avenue Gilded Age mansion where Charlotte Goodridge hosted magnificent soirées. Aspiring to reflect her sensibilities and taste, Doyle reflects, “One can just imagine the urns of flowers in front of tapestries hung on paneled walls beneath coffered ceilings while champagne was tipped into glass after glass of guests. I bet, beyond the tapestries, there were watercolors from her trip touring India, and maybe Roman engravings from her continental tour.” In Doyle’s imagination, he set out to recreate and update the collection of Charlotte, an original flâneur, gracious hostess, and shining model for the ambiance and hospitality offered at The Fifth. Curating The Collection Under Doyle’s creative ingenuity and artful eye, The Fifth partnered with Alex Toledo and Seth Rosenbaum of Visto to curate the hotel’s art collection, with Leslie Simitch of Trunk Archive curating the in-room photographs. Together, these brilliant partners brought the idea of a flâneur to life. According to Doyle, “They found artworks worthy of examination, thought-provoking pieces that rewarded scrutiny, and pieces that created a wonderful dialogue across the spaces and throughout the hotel.” Designed to awaken the senses, the curated collection includes a mix of established and emerging artists, ensuring a diverse array of styles and mediums. Every art piece has been thoughtfully chosen from various corners of the globe, inviting contemplation and reflection. Doyle asks, “Does the ostrich painted on glass remind you of your travels to Cape Town— or does the tapestry remind you of examining the flora of the Unicorn tapestries at Musée Cluny? Or perhaps it reminds you of catching lightning bugs when you were a child?” He continues, “The collection of artwork at The Fifth is a chance to revel in its sheer beauty, in its ability to provoke memories or reflections—it is there, with open arms, to enchant or amuse our guests, each in their own way.” One example of this is the captivating photography adorning the rooms, transporting guests to different times and places. Among these are Melvyn Sokolsky’s magical flying figures captured in Paris and Gordon Parks’ glamorous scenes of 1950s New York. Additionally, there’s a mesmerizing image by William Klein featuring a woman in a flowered cap, gracefully exhaling a swirl of cigarette smoke. These images were chosen to bring a smile to our guests’ faces, offering happy recollections of bygone eras that embody the flâneur spirit—to observe and to learn. Lives and Stories Through Art From The Portrait Bar’s exceptional collection of paintings, photographs, and drawings to Alana Airitam’s Queen Mary displayed in the lobby, art at The Fifth is ultimately about lives and stories. As guests come and go, The Fifth believes that the beauty of art can inspire hospitality, bringing warmth and welcome to every floor of the hotel. Doyle’s words remind us that beauty, like thoughtfulness and kindness, has the power to uplift our spirits and motivate our psyche. “Of the five senses that we try to engage when we welcome you to The Fifth, we recognize that one of the most powerful is sight. What you see around you helps to create mood, shapes experience, and has a profound impact on psychology and physiology. It is our job to try to create an environment that is stimulating without being challenging, and a perfect platform—an embrace—as our guests come and go from this ‘home away from home.’” The art collection throughout the hotel prompts deep musings and evokes strong emotions. “The intention here is to help our guests slow down, step out of the pace of the modern world, and feel gratified in the moment,” says Doyle. A Living Collection The art collection of The Fifth will continue to evolve over time, enriched by our cultural programming and special collaborations with creatives. These living, present expressions will capture what inspires them, ensuring that our guests always encounter fresh and thought-provoking experiences that reflect the ever-changing world around us. |
