Hotel Excelsior has always aspired to host a diverse array of artistic expression within its walls. From AR and VR experiences to short films, live performances, performance films, exhibitions, and installations, our goal is to provide a rich feast for the mind and soul. We have invited the next group of artists to craft stories within our rooms. Here are the projects currently in development:
SOLACE
by Duraid Abbas Ghaieb
Vera drags a large, heavy suitcase into a dark hotel room where another woman, Teatske, is waiting for her. A puppet emerges from the suitcase, looking like a different animal from every angle. The women begin to tell a story: A young girl eagerly awaits the return of her brothers, who have lost their way in search of a dragon. As the women explore the mysterious creature in all its facets, the story of the girl who bravely faces the unknown and great danger to save her brothers unfolds. In the women's hands, the creature constantly transforms, taking on the shapes of plants, animals and perhaps even humans, before finally finding its final form as a character in their play.
PILLOW TALK
by Kit Hung
Catherine, a diligent cleaning lady in a luxury Swiss hotel, starts her workday with a video call to her young son back home in North Thailand. As she smooths the soft pillows and meticulously arranges the pristine white bedding, her heart aches at the stark contrast between her opulent surroundings and her son's modest room, marked by holes in the mosquito net, untidy conditions, and his worn-out pajamas. Throughout her day, Catherine's interaction with her son is interrupted by calls from the hotel reception, inquiries about left-behind items like an expensive pair of leather shoes, and champagne bottles discarded in the trash.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
by Liliane Ott
Mina, 32, checks into a hotel room the night before testifying in court as a witness to an unnamed crime. As she grapples with her decision, she receives a call from her overbearing mother trying to dissuade her and ignores calls from her worried boyfriend, who is hurt by her refusal of his support. Turning to alcohol to calm her nerves, Mina's memories flood the room, revealing a torrent of self-blame, disbelief, and shame over the incident about to be tried. Overwhelmed, she leaves the room and returns with a stranger a few hours later. After a thoughtless remark upsets her, she kicks him out, leaving her once again alone and distraught. Lying on the hotel floor, she finally confronts her inner turmoil and finds resolve at dawn’s first light.