June 22, 2012
The OUT NYC Launches Art Programming (with Alan Cumming)
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
NEW YORK, NY - THE OUT NYC, New York's first straight-friendly urban resort, is intertwining the travel experience with artistic expression. The complex is launching its arts programming in a unique partnership with award-winning actor and photographer Alan Cumming, curated by the hotel's Creative Director, Patrick Duffy.
The hotel will be displaying several large photographs (42" x 42") taken by Cumming, on loan from The Mantegna Gallery, including a provocative self-portrait taken on the set of his forthcoming movie "Any Day Now."
Two New York City pedicabs will be styled with Cumming's works and stationed outside the hotel to take guests around the city.
THE OUT NYC has also partnered with about 25 of Cumming's favorite venues (places like No. 8 - Amy Sacco's new outpost, Cynthia Rowley, The Box, Kiehl's, Lincoln Center, Eastern Bloc, XL, Vlada, KTCHN, Bedlam, Joe's Pub, Whitehall, etc.) to offer a social media and photography component to this collaboration.
THE OUT NYC will be running a contest for the best photograph taken of these venues and sent to THE OUT NYC via facebook and Twitter. Cumming will choose three winners himself. The prizes will include:
* A stay at THE OUT NYC
* One of Cumming's signed limited edition photographs
* Drinks with Alan at THE OUT NYC
The Alan Cumming contributions will run from June 20 - July 14, 2012.
This collaboration is just the beginning of THE OUT NYC's continued arts programming.
� Beginning July 17, THE OUT NYC will be displaying works by the famous portrait photographer Gilles Larrain.
Larrain will offer free portraits to the public for an entire day this summer in THE OUT NYC's lobby.
His works will be on display at THE OUT NYC from July 17 through August 17.
� THE OUT NYC has commissioned sculptor Antonio Pio Saracino to create a piece for the hotel's lobby inspired by victims of the AIDS epidemic.
� THE OUT NYC is working with gallerist Ken Tyburski to launch an artist-in-residence program, housing artists to live and work at the hotel for three months at a time.
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
