The art installed on board Nieuw Statendam has certainly been turning heads and is described by well-known website Cruise Fever as one of ‘seven awesome things to love’ about Holland America Line’s newest ship.
We are convinced that art’s ability to change situations and environments can also change perceptions and, given Cruise Fever’s description of “so many interesting works and unique pieces that they are impossible to miss and certainly stand out as a highlight when you’re onboard” HAL’s latest cruise ship, it appears we are not alone.
It’s a description that acknowledges YSA Design’s largest ever curated art project on a cruise vessel. In fact, we selected and brought around 2,500 original artworks on board Nieuw Statendam. Their purpose is not only to work in sympathy with their surroundings but to put the visual surprises of contemporary art at the centre of cruising.
Art, or in this case Art@YSA, is seen as a key differentiator likely to catch the attention of new and repeat cruise guests alike; ship interiors can be transformed by the introduction of often dramatic and sometimes playful contemporary art, creating talking points that can also be useful locators for those on board.
We have worked with HAL since 2002, overseeing its increasing use of original artworks in what has become a 10-ship collaboration, evolving the brand to retain its classic associations but adding an edginess that appeals to a broader demographic.
With 160 artists featured, Nieuw Statendam houses one of the largest art collections at sea: its three stair towers, for example, are effectively vertical art galleries the feature limited edition photographs, paintings and sculptures throughout. Works onboard include contributions from new and established artists. One of the most intriguing is the piece by Bernard Pras, which offers a deconstructed homage to Magritte in the form of a sculpture that requires a defined vantage point to be recognisable. Other works provide examples of contemporary art playfulness: Deck 9, for example, features the Michelangelo statue David holding a mobile phone.
Of course, all curated art must meet maritime safety rules and work in proportion to the height and other space restrictions on board ship but the curator’s role is to integrate bold and original art with spectacular ship design to create something even better.
