By
Rebecca Gibson |
Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, featured a 30ft magenta polar bear on her exterior deck when she left Meyer Werft’s building dock at 6am local time on 13 August.
Created by Denver-based artist Lawrence Argent, the bear is part of a 2,980-piece, multi-million art collection themed ‘What Makes Life Worth Living’ that has been curated for Quantum of the Seas by International Corporate Art (ICArt).
Titled ‘From Afar’, the bear comprises 1,340 stainless steel triangles and weighs around eight tons. The sculpture has been designed to help guests explore the ship’s art theme by showcasing the ‘intangible qualities of what makes life worth living, such as peace, love, joy, gratitude and passion.’
“It is quite exciting to be collaborating with Royal Caribbean on a very visible and significant piece of art that will allow my work to be exposed to thousands of people each week,” said Argent. “The thing about cruise vacations is that they transport individuals from the normality of their everyday lives and leave them open to new experiences. The bear engages those that have a fear of thinking they don’t know what art is and turns it into an approachable entity.”
The ICArt collection also includes a variety of pieces of different sizes, art forms and mediums, and will be located on the ship’s interior and exterior decks. The collection features the ‘Crossing’, which has been designed by artist Paul Villinski and encompasses a wall of 210 butterflies made of aluminium, stainless steel, acrylic and enamel. Sculptor Soo Sunny Park has also created ‘Waves of Light’, which explores the potential of light as a structural element.
“Royal Caribbean has a long history of showcasing original art at sea and we boast one of the world’s largest private art collections across our fleet, ” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president of operations, Royal Caribbean. “The pieces we have commissioned for Quantum of the Seas are stunning, engaging and in some cases completely unexpected. We are so thrilled that our guests have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exceptionally brilliant works from some of the world’s most talented artists such as Lawrence Argent.”
Quantum of the Seas was originally scheduled to float out from the Papenburg yard in Germany on 9 August but was delayed by adverse weather conditions. Following the float-out, the world’s third largest cruise ship will berth at the yard's outfitting pier to enable her to undergo thrusters and stabilisers tests. Engineers will carry out final interior outfitting and onboard tests until the ship’s conveyance down the River Ems to the North Sea, which is scheduled for the middle of September.
Scheduled to debut in November 2014, the 167,800 gt ship will feature a series of ‘first-at-sea’ onboard experiences including the Ripcord by iFly skydiving experience; SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea; Two70°, which spans three decks at the stern of the ship; and North Star, a glass pod that extends more than 300 ft above the ship. Guests can also enjoy the Dynamic Dining concept, which comprises 18 restaurant concepts and specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.