Munich stories at the heart of Double Decker’s sophisticated curatorial vision for Rosewood’s inaugural German outpost. Co Founders in Double Decker Melita Skamnaki and Wilhelm Finger will attend HOTEL EXPERIENCE 2024 on 5th & 6th of October, in a production by Vassilis Bartzokas of Design Ambassador and Aris Marinakis of Architectural Editions.
Attend the Hotel Experience conference at the Athens Conservatory, on 5th and 6th of October, with free entrance and pre-booking here
Rosewood Munich, the group’s first hotel in Germany, unveils a sophisticated art collection by Double Decker, the curating studio specialising in composing art collections tailored for the hospitality industry.
Situated in Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße, Rosewood Munich finds its home in two historical buildings, formerly the headquarters of the State Bank of Bavaria and Palais Neuhaus-Preysing. Complimenting the superb interiors of renowned designer Tara Bernerd & Partners, and the bar and restaurant by Munich-based DiPPOLD interior design studio, the thoughtfully bespoke art collection pays homage to the heritage of the building and the history of the city, instilling throughout a distinctive sense of place, expressed through a contemporary lens.
At the heart of the Rosewood Munich art collection is the concept of ‘Munich stories.’ Double Decker have taken inspiration from a number of important moments and individuals in the history of the city, as well as its architecture, traditions and eccentricities.
From geometric abstraction to the opulent Rococo style, this eclectic collection nods to key chapters in the story of Munich, from the beautiful and rebellious Empress Sisi to the 1972 Olympic Games. Paintings, prints, photography, sculptural works, ceramics and textile pieces form the curation, including new commissions, installations, in-house designs and unique collaborations with specialist local artisans.
For the guest rooms, artist Olaf Hajek was commissioned to create modern portraits of Empress Sisi and King Ludwig II, alongside other historical key figures of Bavarian Royalty and contemporary popular icons.
Through the use of a muted colour palette and hints of blue tones, the refined artworks mirror the elegant interiors while conveying a sense of place, bringing narratives from the past into the present with fresh and contemporary colour and style.
Bold abstract paintings are a strong feature in the curatorial vision for Rosewood Munich, including significant artists such as Dutch painter Thomas Trum, whose dizzying, colourful and minimalist artworks express his fascination with unconventional applications of paint; his individual artworks are found in all Deluxe suites, each uniquely hand-painted.
The work exhibited here reflects the lines and forms seen on the original artist-designed Munich Olympics posters from 1972, such as Modern Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida’s, which is also displayed in the hotel.
Featured in the Wintergarten are several pastel works by Helena Parada Kim, which depict traditional items of Bavarian clothing. Katarina Ziemke’s paintings of ordinary Bavarian people are created on rice paper, creating a uniquely tactile quality to the work that is only experienced to its fullest on closer inspection. Mevlana Lipp’s three-dimensional paintings mesmerise the eye with swirling leaf-like shapes in electric blues and acid green, layers and floating above a backdrop of deepest indigo velvet.
The refined collection celebrates the exquisite opulence of parts of Munich’s past, with works including Michael Baumgarten’s Bavarian Rococo Installation photographic work (lead image page 1), and that of Flavia Junqueira, which portrays a stunning atrium of splendid marble, impressive columns and an exuberant statue of a golden horse – such as that on a merry-go-round – above which marble balloons miraculously float.
Modern imagery can also be seen throughout public spaces in the hotel, conveying and celebrating the city of Munich as a centre of culture and dynamic energy. Lauren Keeley’s striking work, entitled Celebration / Dressing Up, is a screenprint on leather, board in powder coated aluminium frames, portraying the repeated image of a lady’s walking feet (pictured left) – in high heels and trousers, either busy at work or ready to hit the town.
In the main bar is an important centrepiece of the collection, a true celebration of Munich as a world centre for jazz. Here guests can dine with the backdrop of a spectacular glass artwork installation, commissioned and created by Double Decker in collaboration with the distinguished Munich glassworks Franz Mayer Studio.
For this large-scale piece, which is visible from both sides, a highly stylised vision was transformed into a strikingly mesmerising glass artwork – in which music is played, martinis served, and revelries had. Graphically delineated forms are coloured in golden yellow, warm orange, cobalt blue and bright turquoise, so that the installation truly pulsates with the rhythm of a Munich jazz club.
Double Decker’s Directors, Wilhelm Finger and Melita Skamnaki, commented:
“Our studio approached the Rosewood Munich art collection infusing it with a distinctive curatorial vision. Double Decker has taken inspiration from a wealth of dynamic, visual and contextual cultural elements, threaded in the entire collection with passion and skilled storytelling. The vision here is brave and intelligent, bringing together disparate styles, mediums and concepts, but all within one core message: to celebrate the history of the city. In every corner is instilled a tangible sense of place – and yet experiencing this eclectic art collection is also, in fact, to see Munich with new eyes.”
Tara Bernerd, Founder and Creative Director, Tara Bernerd & Partners, adds:
“Art has always played an integral part in any of our projects, it is that final layer that truly brings a project to life and enriches the storytelling in our design. It was a pleasure working with Double Decker at Rosewood Munich, who not only took inspiration from historic figures, but interspersed this with a more contemporary take and a charming touch of humour.”
Roland Duerr, managing Director, Rosewood Munich, said:
“Rosewood Munich was thrilled to have collaborated with Double Decker, who brought their unique curatorial and design expertise to the hotel. Their ability to create distinctive and elegant art pieces perfectly complemented our “A Sense of Place” philosophy and our commitment to offering a unique experience for our guests.”
Wilhelm Finger, Director
Wilhelm is a curator and designer with over two decades of experience in the creatives industries. Before founding Double Decker in 2009, he worked as an art director with leading publications such as Wonderland, Ten Magazine, IQONS Magazine, Financial Times’s HTSI and Tush Magazine, and developed design concepts for brands such as Comme des Garçons, Shiseido and Virgin records.
While already on an established career path, he completed an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University and the Design Museum, where he met Melita Skamnaki. Together, co-founded Double Decker as an art consultancy shaping the future of hospitality, and in the early years, the duo gained considerable experience in curating exhibitions and programmes for internationally acclaimed museums, including Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Brazil; Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens; and London’s Design Museum and Science Museum.
Double Decker today is a thriving studio based in the heart of Soho, London, where Wilhelm and Melita lead a team of visual storytellers, engaging the power of art to shape life-affirming experiences. Double Decker’s clients include some of the world’s leading hospitality brands, including Cunard, Rosewood, Four Seasons, and Seabourn.
Wilhelm has given lectures in several art and design institutions around the world, and continues to mentor emerging talents, bringing his critical eye to all Double Decker projects.
Melita Skamnaki, Director
Before relocating to London, Melita was an award-winning creative director in Athens, with a portfolio including leading brands such as Vodafone, Aegean Airlines and Action Aid.
With a degree in Art and Design, and another in Creative Advertising already under her belt, Melita completed an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston
University and the Design Museum, where she met Wilhelm Finger. Together they co-founded Double Decker in 2009, blending their expertise in fashion, design and communications, and bringing their trend forecasting expertise to their curatorial approach.
At the start of their journey, Melita and Wilhelm gained considerable experience in curating exhibitions and programmes for internationally acclaimed museums, including Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Brazil; Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens; and London’s Design Museum and Science Museum.
Today, Double Decker is an international studio with leading clients in the hospitality sector, including high profile brands such as Cunard, Rosewood, Four Seasons, and Seabourn, for whom Double Decker curates bespoke art and design collections that tell a collective narrative. Melita and Wilhelm lead the team bringing their original curatorial expertise to every project, creating a distinctive sense of place and elevating the viewer’s experience.
A passionate educator, Melita has given lectures at Art and Design institutions around the world, and continues to nurture emerging artists, bringing her commercial and creative acumen to all Double Decker’s activities.
Event Credits
Title of the event HOTEL EXPERIENCE
Typology Conference, exhibition
Location Athens Conservatory
Dates Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th of October 2024
Εxperience Design & Art Direction Flux Office / Eva Manidaki @ Thanasis Demiris
Production Direction & Artistic Curation Vassilios Bartzokas / Design Ambassador
Coproduction and Commercial Direction Aris Marinakis / Architectural Editions
Communication sponsors A8INEA.COM, AΘΗΝΑΙΚΟ-ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΚΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΟΡΕΙΟ ΕΙΔΗΣΕΩΝ, FORTUNE GREECE, GTP NEWS, HUFFPOSTGREECE, LIFO, MONEY TOURISM, TOURISM TODAY
Attend the Hotel Experience conference at the Athens Conservatory, on 5th and 6th of October, with free entrance and pre-booking here
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