We interviewed Carrie and Alex Vik, the co-owners of the Estancia Vik José Ignacio, on the occasion of their hotel’s inclusion in Volume 8 of our Tablet10 series. Here, in an online exclusive, is the full text of the interview.
What’s the concept behind the Estancia Vik?
Alex: We wanted to do something that highlighted how beautiful this part of Uruguay is, and all the tremendous things that they have when it comes to art, architecture, design and nature. Almost like an homage to Uruguay. We wanted something that we could use when we’re down there with our family, our cousins, uncles and aunts, and when we’re not there, to share with everybody.
The Manhattan gallery scene is familiar to all, but things out in Brooklyn are a little bit different. Check out Ad Hoc Art, and pick up some tips about what’s happening across the East River, at Revel In New York.
Peter McGough and his partner in art David McDermott mark the beginning of the modern world at the outbreak of the First World War, and they’re having nothing to do with any of it. Their dedication to the past is something more than just a retro aesthetic or a backward-looking worldview; it’s somewhere between a lifelong piece of performance art, and a fully realized, semi-private alternative universe. Find out more about its points of intersection with the 21st century at Revel in New York.
I love destination art. Don’t get me wrong — I also love those brown-bag lunch lectures at MoMA. But like a middle school crush, great art is more exciting when there’s a chase. Recently this involved a quickie road trip from Manhattan to two dynamo museums in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, just a few hours north.
A few months ago as part of Tablet’s “get out of the office” campaign we visited the Marian Goodman Gallery to see the Gerhard Richter exhibit. Our hosts were incredible, walking us through the exhibit, offering insight into Richter’s method, and letting us peruse the gallery long after it had closed. Their generosity stemmed from their love of art — and no doubt from their love of this artist in particular.
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/bionicgrrl
Most people who visit the Tablet office in New York have the same reaction: “It’s so quiet here!” Their eyes widen as they try to compute how dozens of people sharing desks in a large open space can generate so little noise. Maybe they expect something more like the lobby of the Delano, with models walking around and beautiful people offering you drinks and help with your luggage. In reality we’re just a bunch of really good-looking people (honest!) typing away.
Interviews & insights with the creative minds behind the hotels in the latest issue of the Tablet 10 Magazine.