The Connaught Christmas Tree 2021 has been designed by London-based artist duo Annie Morris and Idris Khan OBE
Marking the start of the festive season, The Connaught Christmas Tree 2021 has been unveiled outside The Connaught, and this year has been designed by friends of the hotel, influential London-based artist duo Annie Morris and Idris Khan OBE. This marks the start of the festive season on Mount Street in the heart of Mayfair.
The magnificent British sourced Nordmann Fir tree, stands 9m tall on Carlos Place and will be surrounded by three interpretations of Morris’s Stack sculptures – her most recognisable body of work. Morris’s Stack sculptures comprise of irregular spheres, precariously arranged into tall columns, and painted in vivid hues. These have been recreated in 2D especially for The Connaught Christmas Tree, first they are free drawn by Annie and then handmade into painted wood. These colourful spheres are individually lit, some with over 1600 glittering lights. Stacked with staggering scale, these precarious towers represent the idea of uncertainty that has come to define our lives, particularly as a result of the pandemic, and that beauty can be born from the unknown and positive light can be found in the darkness. Topping the tree is a shining figure which represents one of Morris’s ‘Flower Women’ a recurring motif that appears in her work.
Khan’s creativity focuses on an often forgotten element of a Christmas tree – the base. He has designed this with ‘support’ in mind – the base reinforces Morris’s sculptures representing the love and support at the very heart of relationships and family. Surrounding the base is a two-way infinity mirror illuminated in Khan’s signature blue, featured in his recent paintings. Engraved on the mirror are the words ‘Merry Christmas’ translated into over a hundred languages, creating multiple layers of the script. This represents the importance of the coming together of all faiths and cultures throughout the festive time.
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“We are so excited to create this year’s iconic Christmas tree at The Connaught. Our idea was to make a tree that represents hope and togetherness, through language and colour” said Morris and Khan.
This will be the sixth year The Connaught Christmas Tree has been designed by a celebrated artist! Past trees include Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Michael Craig-Martin and Sean Scully. The Connaught has long established itself as playing a significant role in the art world amassing a considerable art collection over its 170-year history.
The Connaught Christmas Tree 2021 by Annie Morris and Idris Khan OBE will shine bright on Carlos Place until the first week of January 2022.
See also:
Best Christmas decorations at the most luxurious hotels of the world
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