Autograph Collection Hotels & Fotografiska Unveil 'Impressions', A Cultural Project Celebrating the Art of Travel

Original photographic journeys through the lenses and perspectives of four celebrated photographers immersed in remarkable hotel locations

BETHESDA, Md., July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Autograph Collection Hotels – the diverse and dynamic collection of independent hotels championing individuality, together with Fotografiska, the contemporary museum of photography, art, and culture, will unveil a new cultural project in multiple cities around the world in the coming months, beginning with its debut in New York City on July 21. In Impressions, four award-winning photographers, in residence at Autograph Collection Hotels, showcase their takes on extraordinary places, revealing new dimensions and fresh perspectives through photography.

With installations at Fotografiska museums and Autograph Collection Hotels properties around the world, the collaboration invites viewers to experience Berlin, San Pedro, Oklahoma City, and Tokyo through new original works, as well as short films exploring each photographer's creative process and inspiration. Impressions will also come to life via limited edition prints, which will be available for retail on Fotografiska.com and at a select number of Autograph Collection Hotels properties, with proceeds benefiting The Bronx Documentary Center, a non-profit gallery, educational center, and cultural resource.

• While at Hotel Luc, Autograph Collection, Jonas Bendiksen dove into the streets of Berlin in search of spontaneous moments of inspiration and convergence. In Berlin, he struck out on foot, letting his instincts be his guide, opening himself up to spontaneous moments of inspiration. For Bendiksen, these moments are found treasures, small stories that tell you everything about a place.
• While in residence at Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection, Cristina de Middel immersed herself in the powerful light, nature, vibrant colors, and characters of San Pedro, playfully blurring the lines of fact and fiction in search of truth. In the world of de Middel's photography, nothing is quite as it seems. Often, the strange appears ordinary, and the ordinary appears strange. This is by design. In San Pedro the intensity of the light and color became the jumping off point for experimentation, play, and discovery.
• Gregory Halpern created a dynamic, emotional portrait of Oklahoma City through unconventional encounters with its people and landscape, while experiencing The National, Autograph Collection. Halpern likes to get to know a place in a roundabout way, by putting himself in the path of unexpected encounters. In Oklahoma City, this meant time spent in boxing gyms, a barber shop, a rodeo, and parts of the city both new and old.
• During her stay at Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection, Alessandra Sanguinetti probed the surfaces of Tokyo in search of character and mystery, revealing unseen dimensions. Sanguinetti uses contrast to reveal the life beneath the surface, the life we don't always see. Her images, which employ light and dark to dramatic effect, offer striking glimpses into the rich interior worlds and textures of ordinary lives in Tokyo.

"Photography has a unique ability to capture emotions, convey stories and effect change, just as travel does," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Autograph Collection Hotels and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. "Together with Fotografiska, we're excited to shine a light on the vision, craft, heartfelt design, and unique stories of various Autograph Collection Hotels properties and their communities around the world through the lens of four wildly talented photographers, resulting in an indescribable, lasting impression."

The Impressions project will be unveiled at Fotografiska New York beginning July 21 (on-view through August) then travel to Fotografiska's soon-to-open Berlin and Shanghai locations in the coming months. The works of art will also travel to select Autograph Collection Hotels properties across the globe in late July through the end of the year, beginning with Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, Autograph Collection in South Carolina, followed by The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection in Portland, Maine, Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection in London, UK, and Nanjing, Jiangning, Autograph Collection in China.

"The connection between travel and photography is timeless, and why this collaboration with Autograph Collection Hotels has been a spot-on inaugural global partnership initiative," said Karolina Dmowska, Global Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships, Fotografiska. "Impressions is a special project in showing the individuality of both inspiration and of the approaches that artists take to manifest their creative visions into being."

Guests staying at Autograph Collection Hotels properties will have the following exclusive benefits via their room key:

• Complimentary museum admission to Fotografiska New York, Stockholm, Tallinn, and soon-to-open Berlin and Shanghai locations
• Half-priced guest tickets to the museum
• Priority reservation to museum bars and restaurants including Fotografiska New York's exclusive Chapel Bar and Verōnika
• Discounts on select programs and events, in addition to The Shop and Café
• One complimentary beverage during Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m.

Additionally, Autograph Collection Hotels is giving guests checking into select properties globally complimentary access to Lomography 35mm film cameras and film rolls along with expert tips on how to capture striking photography from the program's celebrated photographers.

To experience Impressions and discover more about the project and collaboration, visit autograph-hotels.com/fotografiska.

About Autograph Collection^® Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 280 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across nearly 50 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore on social via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy^®
Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 31 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques^®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Fotografiska
Fotografiska is the contemporary museum for photography, art and culture. Founded in Stockholm in 2010, Fotografiska is a destination to discover world-class photography, eclectic programming, elevated dining and surprising new perspectives.

Guided by a mission to inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography, art and culture, Fotografiska produces dynamic and unparalleled rotating exhibitions, spanning various genres in inclusive environments.

With a dedicated international community and locations in Stockholm, New York City, and Tallinn — and with two new locations opening in 2023 (Berlin, and Shanghai) — Fotografiska is the premier global gathering place for photography and culture.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.