With the Olympics happening in Rio, it’s not just sports getting the glitter. Belmond, together with award-winning Icelandic artist Kristjana S. Williams, have created art on a breath-taking canvas at the Belmond Copacabana Palace. The seven story high hotel now boasts of Williams’ trademark style of Victorian engraving and modern illustration displayed on its façade, including a mesmerising butterfly-themed theatrical light projection that sees dozens of enormous butterflies glide over the luxurious property. This is a 10-minute display, which will run at 7 pm nightly till August 14 for the general public. The butterflies carry different countries’ flags on their wings, symbolizing the unity of nations, even as the fluttering wings themselves stand for hope. Williams also spearheaded another window exhibit behind the hotel, at the Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana. Depicting previous host Olympic cities, the display both honors the spirit of hospitality as well as acts as a gesture of goodwill to the next host: Tokyo. Other artworks include illustrated maps over the reception and concierge desks. Titled ‘Belmond Map of the World’ and ‘Rio Welcomes the World’, they are each handcrafted via interweaving layers of 18th-century engravings, photographs and paintings with contemporary illustrations.
