COME UP TO MY ROOM 2010

Last week, The Gladstone Hotel played host to it’s 7th annual Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) exhibition. CUTMR is a curated alternative design show which allows the chosen designers a chance to experiment, out of the confines of traditional design, and showcase their work to the public. The majority of the exhibit took place in the second floor of The Gladstone Hotel, although there were also installations in the lobby and the Ballroom. 11 rooms and 14 public spaces were transformed into a collection of the most conceptual, fascinating experiences, truly challenging ones imagination.

Though each room was entirely unique, I’d have to say my favorite this year was Room 202 by Maggie Greyson, Christine Lieu and Phoebe Lo. I particularly enjoyed it because it reminded me of an exhibit by Song Dong called Projects 90, at the MoMA last summer (in which the artist displayed a collection of all the personal artifacts of his homelife). When you first walked into the room, you first noticed the hundreds of glass jars stacked row by row from the ceiling to the floor, and immediately you fixate your attention to the objects found within. They all come with tiny hang tags that have fragmented notes on them such as a key that dictates, “The key to Nadine’s house at 266 St. George Street.” Amusingly enough, as you curiously examine each jar, you notice each object comes with these hang tags, and they are each scripted with fond memories of whomever it may have belonged to, at one time or another. Part of the ‘experiment’ was when we were told that we could exchange an item in the jar for an item of our own, granted we now complete our own tag. I find history a very interesting subject, especially when it is personal experience, because everything you come across has a story, whether it makes an impact or not. Sadly, I had nothing to give, so I wasn’t able to swap anything, but I’m sure many other visitors were able to leave behind their story in Room 202.

Though the event is over, I recommend you schedule the next one into your calender, as an exhibit of this nature truly excels in showcasing talented designers and artists in their most creative moment. For pics of this years event, check out the official site at CUTMR.

The Hotel:

The Gladstone Hotel itself is a tourist and local attraction; a unique boutique hotel which offers thirty-seven artist designed guest rooms, two bars: the melody and art bar, ballroom café and second floor gallery and studios. It was built by Architect George Miller in 1889, and since then it has been restored and completed from mid-2004 to the end of 2005, respectively. The nice part about the Gladstone is that it offers more then a one night stay at your standard hotel. It’s creative atmosphere allows visitors to experience a sense of interaction with their environment, which, if you think about it, isn’t that what we secretly hope we’ve paid for?