NEW YORK & MIAMI, Dec 1, 2009 / FW/ — PDA, to the gizmo lover it means Personal Digital Assistant; to relationship gurus, it means Public Display of Affection and to art lovers it means Public Display of Art.
Beginning tomorrow, PDA will have a new meaning – Peace Art Dance, a series of nomadic dance interventions sponsored by the Morgans Hotel Group (MHG) to celebrate its properties as a stage at Delano, Shore Club and Mondrian during Art Basel Miami Beach which is being held from December 2 – 6, 2009.
As an innovative lifestyle brand, MHG has teamed up with Interview magazine and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to collaborate with international curator Natalie Kovacs in creating this interactive performative public art project. PDA is a peace inspired programming agenda that celebrates contemporary dance, art, and performance.
“PDA- Peace Dance Art and Art Basel Miami Beach both embody the daring, style and innovative spirit for which Delano, Shore Club and Mondrian are known,” said Morgans Hotel Group Vice President of Entertainment, Ben Pundole. “The Art Basel experience we have created for our guests through this initiative and in the rest of our programming this year is unparalleled.”
“PDA is an opportunity to give back to the community and raise awareness surrounding world peace,” said Walt Freese, CEO (Chief Euphoria Officer) of Ben & Jerry’s.
In creating a “motion in the ocean” on Saturday December 5th, the water between Shore Club and Delano will host an improvisational performance and iconic photo opportunity showcasing the need for global peace and ecological preservation.
During the week Shore Club, Delano and Mondrian will host PDA – Dance Loves Art vignettes at sunset where there will be live dance performances poolside at each property. In addition to the activities in the ocean, official media sponsor, Interview Magazine will be editing their February issue poolside at Mondrian, while Ben & Jerry’s will be providing “Imagine Whirled Peace Toast” daily.
The interactive art performance will include over 3000 members of the art world, dancers and locals alike, in a choreographed group dance sequence, mimicking the movement of the ocean. This public performance art project and conceptual human sculpture will culminate in a peace symbol, a symbol of unity, community and underlining with our respect to peace and ecology.
International curator Natalie Kovacs is setting out to create innovative, unforgettable experiences offering guests a sensation, elevation and revelation designed to encourage ARTicipation. “In the past seven years of Art Basel Miami Beach we have yet to experience the ocean used as a canvas,” says Natalie Kovacs. “This piece is about ecology, unity and community.”
Photographers will cover PDA project on both the ground and in the air. Immediately following the iconic wave guests will enjoy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, while Ben & Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese will join Morgans Hotel Group’s Ben Pundole and Interview Magazine’s Renata Lopes-Merriam for a question and answer session open to guests and media.