Artists

Korean photographer Atta Kim was chosen for his luminously beautiful long exposure color photographs.  “I saw his exhibition at the International Center of Photography was struck by the intensity of the color and the meditative quality of the serene, ‘people-less’ landscapes.   Kim uses painstakingly precise 8 hour-long exposures.  Anything within the frame of the camera that is not fixed in space disappears.  Movement can register as light, but rarely do you see a body.  I loved the idea that time has everything to do with making his images and that he is using ancient techniques to make these extraordinarily modern pictures”, said Gass.

For painting, Gass approached American painter Mark Innerst to create a view of 59th Street looking east which would capture the Central Park on the one side, and the historic row of hotels and buildings on the other.  “Everyone fell instantly in love with his work when I proposed him,” stated Gass.  “There was much excitement when they realized that the style of his work connected the hotel’s Art Deco era feel with the pulse and vibrancy of the contemporary urban environment.  The view was the suggestion of the hotel’s General Manager, which was wonderful.”