Las Vegas Hotels join art and cultural effort.

Two major Las Vegas hotels and casinos will join forces in a cultural effort to create an artistic niche in Las Vegas, both hotels have announced their intentions of buying contemporary sculptures and installations for public displaying, Michele Quinn, MGM Mirage's curatorial adviser has already revealed the plan to invest over $40 million in art to be exhibited in public spaces at the City Center, MGM’s new resort and complex set to open in 2009. The objective of this project is to attract visitors who want to do something different from the usual noisy and crowded shows and casinos. The city of Las Vegas receives millions of visitors every year who come to the city to enjoy the thrill and chill of the Las Vegas Casinos, however, the hotel industry is aware of the potential of projecting and imprinting a cultural and art-friendly image and how that would help the industry to expand. MGM Las Vegas is purchasing and commissioning works by at list a dozen of contemporary artists, including Frank Stella, Henry Moore, Nancy Rubins, Jenny Holzer and Isa Genzken. Maya Lin, a famous artist known for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, will craft a piece for the MGM's reception and lobby area.  

``This is an international visitor who is well-traveled, well-read and who is coming not for the gambling experience,'' said Michele Quinn.

On the other hand, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas has already invested several million and plan to acquire over $20 million in art pieces by the end of next year, said Glenn Schaeffer, Fontainebleau Resorts chief executive officer.

The Fontainebleau has contracted a group of eight artists to explore the light and space of the building, James Turrell will be in charge of the works at the lobby, Ai Weiwei, the most important contemporary artist in China is also contributing with a piece by building an exclusive crystal chandelier that will decorate the casino area. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce considers that building more space dedicated to art and culture is a great way not only to improve and clean the Las Vegas image but also an investment that will increase the city’s revenue.