As you walk into any Las Vegas casino, your heart skips a beat with excitement of what’s to come. The glitz and glamour of the scene lives up to the expectations of how Vegas is portrayed in Hollywood. Luxury casinos, flashing lights, midnight strolls down the strip and of course, the sweet sound of slot machines.
Other elements that catch your eye include the extravagant artwork that dons some of the most prominent casinos. The Bellagio (Las Vegas) is home to an exquisite glass sculpture called ‘Fiori di Como’ (Flowers of Como) by Dale Chihuly. The Venetian (Las Vegas) hosts Venetian-themed art, whilst the Wynn Las Vegas is a favourite in exhibiting art by contemporary artists. Walking into the MGM Grand (Las Vegas), a massive golden lion statue welcomes you, whilst the resort is also equipped with many golden details. The Caesars (Las Vegas) commits to displaying Roman-inspired art, whilst the Hard Rock Hotel is home to many rock memorabilia, including guitars and rock-themed art.
Whilst art and entertainment do go hand in hand, there is an element of psychology behind the art displayed at casinos. Talking about psychology; Did you know, for instance, that there are no clocks in a casino? Here is why art is available at many casinos:
Aesthetic Appeal
Any form of art or sculpture will elevate the visual appeal of a gambling establishment. When you walk into a casino with well-curated art, the space feels luxurious, expensive and also inviting. The ‘easy on the eye’ approach makes casinos more accessible, warm and even friendly to people visiting.
Brand Identity
We did mention that The Venetian displays Venetian-themed art, whilst the Hard Rock Hotel and Resort dons many music memorabilia. Many of the art displayed reflects the brand identity or chosen theme. Such installations promise a memorable experience and also elevates one casino from the other.
Emotional Engagement with patrons
Art is subjective in many ways. It evokes emotions, sets the mood and theme, whilst encouraging visitors to relax and enjoy some downtime. If a person feels relaxed, comfortable and fun, one can expect the same visitor to spend more money at an establishment. You can also meet new people whilst admiring art at casino lobbies.
Making a statement – This is luxury
Displaying artwork at a casino will set the tone and the theme of the ambiance. As you walk into the MGM Grand and you are greeted with a golden lion statue, you know you have just walked into luxury. A casino wants to make a statement, and needs you to spread the word about the luxury you have experienced.
Connecting with visitors via cultural significance
Casinos that choose to display artwork at their sites also want to create connections amongst visitors. The world is filled with people who enjoy art, and art can attract you to one establishment over another. Eg, You can expect rock fashionados to stay at the Hard Rock, whilst you can expect people with Italian roots to choose The Bellagio or The Venetian.
Encouraging exploration of the establishment
Whilst most of the art and craftsmanship can be located at casino lobbies, other art is spread across resorts. The reason behind this is to help visitors explore the whole casino. If you are moving around the establishment, it is more likely for you to locate new restaurants, new shops, and new gambling rooms. Having art all over a casino is paying homage to the artist, whilst also serving as a marketing tool to help you spend more.
Selling Art and landing commissions
They say that art is money, and what better way to display art and possibly sell pieces. People who plan trips to Vegas, Monaco and other casinos across the globe normally book packages including stay, dining and also entertainment. Visiting patrons would have some extra cash to spend, and this could possibly be an art collection piece. Does the casino get any commission for selling art? Possibly, it is also a way for the painter/ artist to get rich and famous.
Enhancing the ambience and space
By spreading and utilizing artwork and sculptures effectively, casinos enrich their environment. Reinforcing the brand with themed art is ultimately contributing to building a brand, and this delivering a memorable experience for guests. The guitar-shaped tower in Vegas welcomes you to the Hard Rock cafe, thus preparing you for the rock vibe yet to come along with your stay. At the Vdara (owned by MGM), Frank Stella’s ‘Damascus Gate Vacation’ is the backdrop for the reception area, setting the tone for your stay, a tone that screams simplicity, minimalism, class and money!
Casinos designed to perfection
Who said that art is only located within the casino doors? Some casinos are indeed a work of art with their elaborate structure, design and architecture. The Bellagio’s famous fountain is a main attraction and pays homage to Lake Como. The Marina Bay Casino in Singapore is a masterpiece with 3 towers of 55 storeys each. The Wynn Palace in China, designed by Roger Thomas, is another showstopper with a gold facade that shimmers with sunlight. The Casino of Monte Carlo in Monaco is also home to the ‘ Belle Epoque’, which has featured in many Hollywood blockbusters throughout the years.
Artwork relevance at online casinos
Online casinos are also big on art, with a variety of landing pages and art graphics to capture you. Both the site and marketing emails are colourful, vibrant and eye-popping. Whilst land-based offers you physical art, online marketing is more about colors, music enhancements, email blasts and bonuses. If you want to know more about this topic, you can check out a site like onlinecasino-southafrica.co.za.
Final Thoughts
Pablo Picasso once stated that ‘’art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,’’ and indeed he was right. Land-based casinos have an obligation to wow you with the ambience, design and opulence, and this is done via art, sculptures, and top-tier architecture. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,’’ this is what Thomas Merton preached with regards to art, and this is the goal of every casino you set foot in. If your overall experience is a great one, you will spread the word and eventually return for more casino fun. Art is a valuable contributor to the casino scene, and we would not have it any other way!
