When a Golf Resorts Hotel Becomes an Art Destination
Located in Čeladná golf resort, the crown jewel of Czech golf resorts, Art & Design MIURA hotel can definitely qualify as the next art and luxury destination of your dream. Fusing art and leisure, the hotel showcases masterpieces of famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gerhard Richter, Henry Moore, Tony Cragg or Czech sculptor, David Černý. The entire hotel is literally riddled with art, which comes from art collector Richard Kučík. As you walk through the hotel you come across art in places where you perhaps would not even expect it.
Richard Kučík was very excited that works in his collection are no longer jailed in depositories and share with us some tips to locate the most amazing pieces of art in various corners all around the hotel.
How long are you already passionate about art yourself and what was the first work you bought?
My interest in art sparked about 20 years ago, when I started searching for a balance in my stressful way of life as a commodity trader. I needed an escape from the world of numbers and charts. My earliest acquisitions were impressionist French landscapes of late 19th and early 20th century, yet still, I believe, brimming with potential. Over time, collecting became my greatest passion that led me on trips to world-famous galleries, museums and fairs; all the while meeting new people and making new friends along the way. It has been about 10 years since I began building up my Contemporary Art collection with an add-in focus on Old Masters a couple of years ago. These days, I find life without collecting hard to imagine.
How did you come up with the idea to open this hotel?
My father was the one who came up with the idea to build a hotel. He dedicated his whole life to hotel management and has dreamed of a hotel in Čeladná golf resort, the crown jewel of Czech golf resorts. Together, we came up with the audacious idea of fusing art and leisure; creating a gallery where guests can live and stay, constantly surrounded by art. The hotel is truly unique offering one-of-a-kind avant-garde architecture, beautiful unspoiled nature all around, an outstanding spa, local cuisine and art on every step. Guests can enjoy a self-guided tour and learn about the art present in the hotel from our “art navigator” and even reserve an actual guided tour. I’m very proud of what we managed and glad that art pieces in my collection are no longer jailed in depositories.
Which piece of the hotel collection is the major attraction?
The hotel is a delight for many types of art enthusiasts; therefore it is hard to name the most valuable piece exhibited there. Personally, I highly value the sculpture assortment “Krychloidi” from Czech sculptor David Cerny; a range of sculptures uniquely made only for my hotel. The admirable Jean Michel Basquiat in the reception offers a stunning introduction for arriving guests, while a Tony Cragg piece accompanies you to the spa. A whole meal in the restaurant can be spent admiring Damien Hirst or Anish Kapoor. Or my latest acquisition: Hirst’s pill cabinet “In the search of Nirvana”, further expands the spectrum of eye-catching art. Yet the pinnacle of my collection is ultimately “Two Golden Mona Lisas and Two White Mona Lisas” from Andy Warhol from 1980— a unique piece personally made and signed by the artist. Only recently have I managed to purchase the white half of the painting, after having owned the golden half for up to 10 years, finally combining the two to “finish” this unique masterpiece. The painting is currently displayed in the night bar for guests to see and has ultimately become the symbol of my MIURA project.
Images via Miura hotel
