LAS VEGAS, March 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bellagio
welcomes spring with a dynamic celebration of Japanese culture
through two stunning exhibits showcasing the passion for nature and
art in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7480151-bellagio-japanese-art-masatoshi-izumi/
An Inspiring Display: Conservatory & Botanical
Gardens
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests
on a peaceful journey through the island nation's rich culture with
its first Japanese-inspired display. Pairing the soothing
aesthetics of Japan's traditional
gardens with Bellagio's striking grandeur; the new display boasts a
vibrant collection of more than 82,000 flowers and larger-than-life
floral creations.
"Springtime in Japan is truly
breathtaking and we are excited to share this extraordinary
cultural experience with our guests from around the world," said
Randy Morton, president and COO of
Bellagio. "After traveling more than 5,000 miles to study gardens
in Tokyo and Kyoto, our horticulture and design teams
created a dynamic interpretation of Japan's enchanting spring season, featuring
many of the culture's most recognizable elements."
Among the thousands of flowers, including fresh tulips,
daffodils and snapdragons, guests will discover traditional bonsai
trees nestled among recreations of some of Japan's most iconic landmarks. Adding to the
charming atmosphere, live musicians perform Japanese melodies on a
floating platform, 4:30 p.m. –
6 p.m. daily.
The West Garden is a sacred scene featuring a 26-foot-tall
Japanese temple inspired by Kyoto's famous Golden
Temple. Resting on the shore of peaceful waters, the regal
temple is elaborately arrayed in gold veneer featuring wood frames
with traditional rice paper Shoji screens.
In the East Garden, guests are greeted by a towering,
18-foot-tall cherry blossom tree, gracefully adorned with 300
acrylic blossoms and leaves. At the foot of the tree, 75 live Koi
fish enjoy the refreshing waters of a tranquil pond, while a
cascading tsukubai waterfall flows from 16 feet above. Two ornate
floral topiaries showcase a combined 15,000 fresh-cut flowers: one,
a majestic crane standing six feet tall and the other, a burly
turtle stretching seven feet in length. These botanical animals
enjoy shade offered by a colorful parade of 35 hand-painted
parasols, each exquisitely decorated and suspended in midair.
Nestled among raked, golden sand in the South Garden, a
traditional Japanese-inspired tea house invites guests to take in
the splendor of the exhibit. Custom built using bamboo pieces,
natural logs and mineral copper accents, the 12-foot-tall structure
celebrates Japan's ancient
tradition of drinking tea.
In the North Bed, just steps from the tea house, is a hanging
garden of Wisteria and Bougainvillea vines. Abstract stone art
rests below, each representing different Japanese cultural icons
such as Mount Fuji, the crane and turtle. Stone lanterns are placed
within this serene setting, illuminating the garden and
contributing to its reflective ambiance.
On view through May 11, the
Japanese Garden will culminate with Golden Week, a national
celebration in Japan recognizing
several significant holidays including Constitution Day, Children's
Day and Greenery Day.
The Conservatory display is a collaboration between Bellagio's
expert horticulture team and MGM Resorts International Event
Productions with consultation from Master Gardener Kanji Nomura
from Nagoya.
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary
to the public and open daily, 24 hours a day.
Enhancing Bellagio's Commitment to the Arts:
Masatoshi Izumi Sculpture
Installation
Continuing the celebration of Japanese culture, Bellagio unveils
a striking new art installation handcrafted by renowned Japanese
sculptor Masatoshi Izumi just
outside of the hotel's main entrance.
The installation, A Gift From the Earth, is comprised of
four distinct stone sculptures, Wind, Fire, Water and Land,
each representing one of Earth's four elements. Meticulously hand
carved from basalt over the course of 18 months, each sculpture
weighs between 17,000 and 27,000 pounds. Basalt, a form of lava
that has cooled on the volcano's surface, is frequently found in
Japanese art as it represents the origins of the island nation.
"Art and culture are integral to the Bellagio experience, with
original works throughout the
resort, in addition to rotating exhibits at the Bellagio Gallery of
Fine Art," said Tarissa Tiberti,
executive director of MGM Resorts Fine Art Collection. "The Izumi
installation is a tremendous addition to this experience and is a
beautiful representation of the authentic art forms within the
Japanese culture."
Izumi was born into a family of stone carvers in Japan and began working on his own craft in
1953. His work celebrates harmony with nature by taking existing
forms and altering them slightly to reveal an even more beautiful
state.
Izumi's work has been showcased around the world in Japan, Taiwan, San
Francisco and Chicago, in
addition to Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas where "CACTUS Life – living
with Earth" has been part of the iconic CityCenter Fine Art
Collection since the hotel's opening in 2009.
For additional information, high-resolution images and
behind the scenes footage, please click
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SOURCE Bellagio Resort & Casino