Is it frivolous to dedicate art in periods of war? It’s a question that seems increasingly relevant — should the appreciation of beauty take a backseat to the fight for freedom? Not necessarily. Current director and chief curator at the Ren, Myriam Ben Salah drew on critic Margo Jefferson’s claim that deems art a necessity in periods of turmoil “because history cannot exist without the discipline of imagination.”
View scenes from the night below.
Where were you born?
Wolverhampton.
Where do you feel most comfortable?
London.
What quality do you think defines you most?
I do what I say I’m going to or die trying.
What do you look for in a companion?
Not talking too much.
What is your biggest weakness?
Refusing to give up.
What is your biggest strength?
Refusing to give up!
What has surprised you most in life?
Lasting this long.
What does your perfect day look like?
Laid back.
What is your favorite color?
Green.
Who are your favorite fictional characters?
Cohen the Barbarian from Discworld.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Jerry Garcia.
What is your favorite food?
Christmas food: mince pies, pudding, etc.
What quality do you dislike most in someone?
Pushy people.
What is your earliest memory?
Being in the hospital, aged 3 with appendicitis.
What is your biggest luxury?
Buying guitars.
How do you show someone you love them?
Just by being there for them.
While most of the weekend was left free to enjoy on our own, the highlight of the opening was the immersive theater experience, performed by IAMA Theater Company. Earlier, John had alluded to the premise: a funeral for Cappy, a fictional character meant to represent the old Laguna (pre-reality tv show fame). Not being a big theater person myself, I wasn’t sold. The dress code was that of the hotel color palette: shades that were reminiscent of the surrounding landscape. After the opening act on the pool deck against the sunset over the beach, we were free to explore around the hotel, visiting each scene however we felt. After my first room / scene, I left in tears. I was completely sold.
We watched scenes of a young love blossoming, adult lovers breaking up, past loves healing old wounds. All while learning about the history of the town and interacting with the hotel spaces in an intimate way. Sitting in various rooms and suites, appreciating the hand woven tapestries and soft lighting from the organically shaped lamps. Being warmed by the fireplace on the terrace once the sun had gone down. Continuously moving between the indoors and outdoors, making nature as much of a feature as the interior.
The following morning, breakfast was served on the terrace with stunningly vast views of the ocean. We spotted dolphins following a pair of paddle boarders out on the water. While there is not much that is better than a cloudless sky full of sun and the sound of waves crashing on the shore, Casa Loma works to enhance these simple joys through all its fine details.
The party's big tent approach to a fusion of Latin sounds and bleeding-edge club music manifested with iconoclasts like Arca, Isabella Lovestory and Bad Gyal, but the 13-hour run also included Rick Ross, Yung Lean & Bladee and Python's IDM and downtempo collaboration with Ana Roxanne, Natural Wonder Beauty Concept. Of course, Miami and suero love to party, and this instinct manifested most clearly in Nick León's heady, masterful live A/V collaboration with Ezra Miller and Snow Stripper riotous, 3 AM finale. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess—long live the unpredictable suero sound.
