#opusvancouver

Best pools for a dip

Pools have long been a draw for summer travelers. Sizzling sun. Bare bodies. The coconut scent of sunscreen hanging in the air. Local surroundings are neglected when there’s a pool to dip in and recline beside. The whole scene sends bathers into a hazy, dazy state where time stands still and days slowly extend into nights.

Where is your favourite hotel pool?

(From top to bottom, left to right)

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Black lava bathing)

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France (French Mediterranean views from the lap of luxury)

Hotel Roosevelt, Los Angeles (Pool-side dancing is encouraged)

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives (Tranquility in a sea of blue)

San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile (The world’s largest and deepest pool)

Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali (Each room has a private pool)

Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Italy (Where Greta Garbo found seclusion with a lover)

Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy (Both you and the pool float on the waters of lake)

Upon the vivacious walls of our OPUS rooms hang a collection of artwork that have as much personality as our lifestyle muses. They make one stop to stare, provoke an emotion, and reflect the creativity we so adamantly encourage. OPUS is proud to have these prolific Vancouver artists featured in our rooms.

Every generation has its pop icons and we all have nostalgic references that awaken memories so vivid they may still live. Michael Miller’s youth spent absorbed in video games is evident in his ‘The Nintendo Generation’ series, which depicts characters of that era in all their animated glory.

Tiko Kerr’s vibrant colours and electric, yet somewhat contorted images were created as a reaction to government cuts to the arts. The luminous cityscape paintings from his Lush Life series are a peephole into his immense imagination and creative breadth. 

At first glance, one may be offended by the guns used as imagery in Mark Mizgala’s art, but if you stand still and stare a little bit longer, it’s apparent that the guns are, in fact, broken water pistols. The iconographic paintings appear ironic and childlike, yet portray another message under the surface layers of perception for each individual viewer to decipher.

With his series of urban shopping carts, Taizo Yamamoto forces us to acknowledge an often ignored object present in all cities. The images are a study in street anthropology, portraying homes and possessions packed into metal cages on wheels.

Alana Rothstein’s pulsating images of sensual colours and provocative scenes are a glimpse into another person’s life. Her art is an expression of a memorable moment in time captured in its most brilliant light. We are honoured to have her contribute to our ART + IDENTITY + TRAVEL package.

Films in a Fashionable Era

Films profiling fashion houses have become as common place as music videos. While it’s unlikely that video will kill the runway star, fashion brands are adding film to their marketing repertoire to creatively define their collections and reach mass audiences.

Here are some of our favourites, both new and old, at OPUS.

Dsquared2 – Fall/Winter 2012

Video is featured above

Class is in session. If only all substitute teachers were as sassy and cheeky as the twins of Dsquared2. Today’s lecture includes catwalk theory, lessons in the bejeweled, and hedonistic studies.

Kenzo – Resort 2013

Watch the video.

A cacophony of electric neon and 3D prints, the new Kenzo film directed by Mat Maitland features a jungle that would camouflage only the most eclectic.

Maiyet – Resort 2013

Watch the video

Perhaps drawing on Out of Africa, Maiyet and director Cary Fukunaga painted an ethereal landscape of East Africa from the perspective of two lovers.

Lanvin – Autumn/Winter 2011

Watch the video

Isn’t this how everyone prepares for a night out on the town? Lanvin created a dance party of epic fashionable proportions. The message: You’re never too stylish to let loose.

McQ Alexander McQueen – Autumn/Winter 2013

Watch the video

All senses are on alert while viewing the raw, sensuality of McQ’s latest film. Directed by Roger Deckker, the video pulls viewers into a beautiful chaos.

Chanel – Remember Now – Cruise 2011

Watch the video

Let’s all jaunt away to St. Tropez. Karl Lagerfeld’s French world is one of opulence, indulgence and beauty. In this film, an older man has the charm to seduce a young woman amongst the prettiest of French men. This artistic sixteen minute video is more short film than commercial.

Eternally Prince

Whether going by Prince, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, or simply a seductively cryptic symbol, the musician’s name carries an opulent weight. The mere uttering of his title can chime off a series of arousing notes into the air. He’s an icon of several generations, his songs relevant to consecutive decades of ears. 

Prince’s music is attached such cataclysmic moments as a young Julia Roberts singing in a tub of decadent bubbles in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, while a young (yet still grey) Richard Gere looks on with amusement; 1999 when his eponymous song suddenly rose to popularity again 17 years after it was released; and that warning label every teenager tries to hide from their parents that states “Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics”, which was birthed after the words in Darling Nikki made a certain politician with children squirm.

The legendary musician just finished a Vancouver tour where he turned crowds delirious at The Vogue Theatre for a staggering four shows.

If you missed it… or just can’t get enough Prince… here are some of our favourite Prince numbers…

Purple Rain

In some (most) situations, this tune is an unspoken cue to take off your clothes.

View video here

Sexy M.F.

Not only does the video give us a satirical glimpse to 1992, but the song has the power to turn any situation into a dance floor.

View video here

American Woman

Rock and pop icons, Lenny Kravitz and Prince, merge to curl the toes of an anonymous American Woman at Rave Un2 the Year 2000.

View video here

Upon the vivacious walls of our OPUS rooms hang a collection of artwork that have as much personality as our lifestyle muses. They make one stop to stare, provoke an emotion, and reflect the creativity we so adamantly encourage. OPUS is proud to have these prolific Vancouver artists featured in our rooms.

Every generation has its pop icons and we all have nostalgic references that awaken memories so vivid they may still live. Michael Miller’s youth spent absorbed in video games is evident in his ‘The Nintendo Generation’ series, which depicts characters of that era in all their animated glory.

Tiko Kerr’s vibrant colours and electric, yet somewhat contorted images were created as a reaction to government cuts to the arts. The luminous cityscape paintings from his Lush Life series are a peephole into his immense imagination and creative breadth.

At first glance, one may be offended by the guns used as imagery in Mark Mizgala’s art, but if you stand still and stare a little bit longer, it’s apparent that the guns are, in fact, broken water pistols. The iconographic paintings appear ironic and childlike, yet portray another message under the surface layers of perception for each individual viewer to decipher.

With his series of urban shopping carts, Taizo Yamamoto forces us to acknowledge an often ignored object present in all cities. The images are a study in street anthropology, portraying homes and possessions packed into metal cages on wheels.

Alana Rothstein’s pulsating images of sensual colours and provocative scenes are a glimpse into another person’s life. Her art is an expression of a memorable moment in time captured in its most brilliant light. We are honoured to have her contribute to our ART + IDENTITY + TRAVEL package.

Whether going by Prince, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, or simply a seductively cryptic symbol, the musician’s name carries an opulent weight. The mere uttering of his title can chime off a series of arousing notes into the air. He’s an icon of several generations, his songs relevant to consecutive decades of ears. 

Prince’s music is attached such cataclysmic moments as a young Julia Roberts singing in a tub of decadent bubbles in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, while a young (yet still grey) Richard Gere looks on with amusement; 1999 when his eponymous song suddenly rose to popularity again 17 years after it was released; and that warning label every teenager tries to hide from their parents that states “Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics”, which was birthed after the words in Darling Nikki made a certain politician with children squirm.

The legendary musician just finished a Vancouver tour where he turned crowds delirious at The Vogue Theatre for a staggering four shows.

If you missed it… or just can’t get enough Prince… here are some of our favourite Prince numbers…

Purple Rain

In some (most) situations, this tune is an unspoken cue to take off your clothes.

View video here

Sexy M.F.

Not only does the video give us a satirical glimpse to 1992, but the song has the power to turn any situation into a dance floor.

View video here

American Woman

Rock and pop icons, Lenny Kravitz and Prince, merge to curl the toes of an anonymous American Woman at Rave Un2 the Year 2000.