Oaga has taken its aquatic artistry below the surface adorning their extensive pool complex with colourful designs and images.
Best of the Maldives: Bait Ball Mobile – Heritance Aarah
A dramatic art piece is becoming de rigeur for the 5-star luxury properties and I am big fan of creative works which evoke the aquatic surroundings. I really like this bait ball mobile at Heritance Aarah which absolutely evokes the magical shimmer of silvery pelagics.
Best of the Maldives: Summer Art Camp – Joali
Joali is the artistic epicentre of the Maldives with its art-themed resort, and now it is training the next generation of artists who might someday grace the property with their own works:
- “The first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives announces its 2024 Kids Summer Camp, taking place during 1 July through 31 August 2024. Surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches, brilliant blue waters and an island-wide art collection of one-of-a-kind installations and experiential pieces, JOALI Maldives Kids Summer Camp will spark creativity and allow kids’ imaginations to soar. Bringing families and young explorers on an unforgettable journey of artistic expression and learning in a breathtaking setting, the island will be joined by world-renowned artists who will further guide, inspire and educate throughout the summer.”
A world beyond the plastic gimp bracelets and Flintstone-like clay ashtrays I made at camp!
Best of the Maldives: Tattoos – NIYAMA
Maldives leaves a permanent impression on any visitor. And if you want to commemorate that memory just as indelibly, NIYAMA offers its own tattoo artist.
- “Get inked in a unique and artistic way by our resident tattoo artist Dui aka Jabb from Thailand. His strengths lie in minimalistic tattoos, realistic tattoos, and tattoo touch-ups.”
This is one case where is dolphin tattoo is completely acceptable.
Best of the Maldives: Artistic Accessibility – Amilla Maldives
Disabled guests are pretty resourceful so they find a way to manage even if the lay of the land is not the easiest to manage. They live in a world that in many if not most cases is not made to accommodate their impairments. When places make an effort, like adding a ramp for a wheelchair, they are grateful for the consideration and added ease. Many accessibility features are fairly functional affairs bolted on as the need presents itself. But Amilla Maldives has introduced permanent accessibility features with an aquatic themed stylish flair to boot. They have craft fish-shaped ramps to beach villas which replace a total of 5 steps that previously led to the entrance. Swish!
Best of the Maldives: Immersive Art – Patina
Maldives is the ultimate immersion in paradise. Immersed in sunshine. Immersed in the aquatic wonderland. Immersed in Maldivian hospitality and attentive service. The Patina add yet another immersion for its guests: art.
- “Global icon James Turrell is the wisdom and maverick behind our key piece, Amarta.This autonomous structure explores space and the light that inhabits it. Turrell asks that we also inhabit the space and explore our perception of form. Under the Maldivian sun, the aperture focuses our senses on the pulse and purity of nature.”
Best of the Maldives: Coconut Palm Art Lessons – Sun Siyam Iru Veli
From our very first visit a quarter century ago received all sorts of aboriginal origami creations from staff, but during our visit to Sun Siyam Iru Veli Samaha and Nuhaz actually taught me how to these palm frond are made. They explained that they grew up honing their palm folding skills. Especially, during Eid is a traditional time for youngsters to show off their skills by fashioning the most elaborate designs. Bodu mas are especially popular during this festive holiday. The first item that Samaha made was a “watch” and a “rose” when she was 8 years old and wrote on it with a needle. She taught me how to make the rose during our tutorial and it came out pretty good if I do say so. The resort also offers these lessons to the younger generation of guests at the resort kids club.
Best of the Maldives: Room Gallery – Oaga
More resorts feature more artistry from local creatives, and some bring these pieces into the villas, but Oaga features a veritable museum of distinctive art in its Veyoge Gallery Pool Villa room category. And if you are looking for an inspired memento of your ‘night at the museum’, you can purchase the pieces displayed. And even if you don’t buy one, your stay benefits the local artists who graced your space:
- “Suvāsthi Gallery Art: Revel in the art exhibited on the wall, part of our in-house art collection from Maldivian artists. All the displayed art is acquirable via our Suvāsthi Retail Gallery. Fun fact: For each night spent in this villa, an allocation will be made to the contributing artist community.”
Best of the Maldives: Room Modern Art – Cora Cora
The latest addition to the gallery of local artists adorning villas will innovative creations is Cora Cora who features an expansive collection of dynamic piece from their very own artist-couple-in-residence, Shameen and Sheenez.
Best of the Maldives: Jellyfish Sculpture – Soneva Jani
Happy Halloween! While resorts are adorning their properties with spooky décor for the occasion, Soneva Jani’s main restaurant is permanently bedecked with a hauntingly alluring mobile of ghostly jellyfish. This post is the latest instalment in its catalogue of suspended sea life sculptures so I’ve added the handy “Mobile” tag for them.