W HOTELS x PHOTOVOGUE ARTIST RESIDENCY SERIES
As part of W Hotels’ global brand refresh, designed to reenergize the brand by reconnecting with its roots in the creative community, we launched PhotoVogue’s first-ever international artist residency with three women photographers.
Partnering with Vogue’s global platform for discovering and championing next-generation image-making talent, three artists were commissioned to create original work inspired by the cultural energy in the scenes surrounding W Hotel properties in Osaka, Budapest, and New Orleans. The projects premiered as immersive digital exhibitions across Vogue’s international editions, reinforcing W Hotels’ renewed commitment to culture-led storytelling and global creative exchange.
Creative Output:
Curation of the editorial residency program, and artist mentorship
A custom designed immersive exhibition of the works on Vogue.com
A 3-part branded film series profiling each artist, captured on location at each W Hotels property
LINK TO FULL STORY
RESIDENCY 1: OSAKA
ARTIST: STELLA ASIA CONSONNI
PROJECT: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS IN OSAKA
As Stella Asia Cosonni’s work focuses on the unifying force of love, she was particularly inspired by the electric port city of Osaka, where W Osaka is located, keen on capturing the emotional human connections that live against the frenetic backdrop of the city’s neon lights.
“I thought of it as an opportunity to explore love in a culture where public displays of affection look different than in my home country of Italy.”
RESIDENCY 2: NEW ORLEANS
ARTIST: KENNEDI CARTER
PROJECT: NATURE AND MUSIC
Photographer Kennedi Carter explored the deep connection between the natural landscape and the creative expressions of the black community in New Orleans. “New Orleans evokes imagery of the bluest jazz song, a sticky sweltering heat, and the lawless movement of Black folks in streets.”
RESIDENCY 3: BUDAPEST
ARTIST: OUMAYMA BEN TAFOUS
PROJECT: BATH CULTURE
Oumayma Ben Tanfous’s personal work focuses on the social dynamics within communities and how gathering in unique spaces defines their collective values. Intrigued when learning about Budapest’s relationship to thermal baths and the vibrant culture centered around them, she decided to pursue her artist residency at W Hotels’ new Budapest location, exploring the city’s historic bath ritual through its diverse community of bathers.
