In concert with the Olympic Games in Paris, the Four Seasons is hosting an “Art of the Athlete” exhibit by sculptor and painter Richard MacDonald. The free walk-through exhibit, which celebrates athletes in action, runs as part of the Las Vegas resort’s artist in residence program.
The collection is a rare retrospective into MacDonald’s five decades of work. It includes never-before-seen original drawings, several paintings and a number of sculptures including one half-life-sized bronze Olympics Gymnast statue gilded with 24-carat gold.
“I felt a little twinge doing this. When you pull out paintings that are 50 years old you go, ‘I’m going to show them to the public,’” MacDonald told Time Out with a laugh at a recent artist’s reception.
In capturing an athlete in motion, MacDonald doesn’t rely on photographs. Instead, the artist—who has studied anatomy and physiology—admits he uses that knowledge to sculpt the intricate muscular structure of the human body. One of MacDonald’s most famous works, The Flair, is a 26-foot-tall bronze monument displayed in an Atlanta park. It depicts a gymnast in full spin.
“I’m not sculpting from the outside. I’m sculpting from the inside,” he explained. “When I’m putting this together, I’m talking to myself about anatomy. It’s not just the face, it’s the spirit. It’s about capturing a moment of glory.”
Acrobat Stéphan Choinère, one of MacDonald’s models, said there is a lot of “do it again” in the process of creating the art. “It’s a lot of repetition but it’s not always holding something for a long time because he wants to capture the motion at its peak.”
In addition to the exhibition, the Four Seasons is offering a special Paris-inspired menu (through August 11) of classic French dishes at Veranda—items that include salade landaise, sockeye salmon tartare and pan-seared diver scallops. PRESS Lounge is getting in on the act too serving Lallier Champagne and some specialty cocktails.
“Through exquisite art, gourmet cuisine and crafted cocktails, we invite guests to immerse themselves in the essence of Paris and celebrate the athleticism and cultural richness of this global event,” said regional VP and general manager Konrad Gstrein in a statement.
Four Seasons Las Vegas is a 424-room boutique hotel located inside Mandalay Bay. “Art of the Athlete” runs through September 5.