The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

bitetravel Radisson Hotel Group Images courtesy of the Radisson Hotel Group T he opening of Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bil- bao in Spain was celebrated with a second art series ex- hibition in collaboration with English photographer and visual artist Rich McCor, aka Paperboyo. During one of the world’s most prestigious culinary events, 50 Next - The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, guests attending the Art Series event had the opportunity to meet and interview the hotel residence artist commissioned to produce content around the hotel and city and launch his exhibition. Using his camera, McCor created forced perspective illusions with crafted paper cut-outs to transform and embellish his sur- roundings which guests will have the opportunity to see first- hand during an interactive and intimate experience with the artist. The first collaboration occurred at the Edwardian Man- chester, where McCor was inspired by the landscape, designs and scenery around him, and the hotel’s mix of modern and Victori- an architecture was captured from a new perspective. The photographer and artist described as a ‘non-destructive van- dal’ started his art in London as a hobby, but it quickly escalated when his work went viral a year later. Now he travels the world, transforming the skyline around him from famous scenes like New York’s Statue of Liberty and Hong King’s Harbour to less- er known landscapes such as the Vistas of Kiruna and Beach Huts in Ontario, Canada. Numerous companies and celebrities have commissioned him to bring his unique perspective to their brands. During the ‘Meet the Artist’ season, guests discovered the artist’s inspiration for the Gran Via Bilbao historic building, its renewed Art Deco style with Japanese touches and the city’s destination as a cultural hub of art and design. He then led an exclusive photo walk to discuss some of the city’s most exceptionally designed buildings, including Anish Kapoor’s Tall Tree & The Eye sculp- ture. He had guests watch him in action bringing the city to life through his inimitable photography. The newly opened hotel houses the world’s first NKO restaurant by Eneko Atxa on its spectacular rooftop terrace with vertical gardens, colourful umbrellas and a striking geometric black and white marble floor. At the restaurant, diners will experience the Spanish chef ’s innovative take on gastronomy with pure flavour and a strong focus on sustainability. His cuisine is a homage to the sense and culinary heritage of the Basque Country, which has many links to Japanese cuisine. Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao, a five-star hotel, oc- cupies the former headquarters of Banco Hispano Americano, built in 1945. It offers 137 rooms over six floors, including two impressive rooftop suites with private terraces featuring a jacuz- zi and stunning city views. The elegant interior design features marble, natural stone and wood, with a colour range in earth tones complemented by gold and blue hues, with artwork in- spired by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. The collection’s connection with art and design started with the SAS Royal Hotel inHammerichsgade, Denmark, designed by Arne Jacobsen, one of the greatest Danish architects of the 20th century. It later became the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen. Art and design are recurring sig- nature elements in Radisson Collection hotels, featuring art from local and internationally cele- brated artists, and events include Milan Fashion Week with fashion illustrator Mr Slowboy. www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radis- son-collection-gran-via-bilbao Radisson Collection Launches Second Art Series Exhibition with Photographer Paperboyo to Celebrate Hotel Opening in Bilbao