Heaven in an Elevator

Posted by Lori Zimmer on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 · 7 Comments

The Standard, High Line is a design feat itself. The opulent glass structure sits on the edge of the Hudson, atop the Highline Park in the Meat Packing District, providing gorgeous river views from each room, and sometimes sassy room views from the street- from those guests who don’t wish to draw their curtains when getting “cozy. Aside from the incredible design, bars and restaurants, the hidden treasure lies within the hotel’s elevators.

Visitors can truly experience a bit of Heaven and Hell, just by hopping in The Standard’s 18 floor elevator. On screens on three walls of each elevator is Marco Brambilla’s “Civilization.” The epic video mural was created specifically for The Standard High Line, and is based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. “Civilization” is a multi-layered tableau of images, illustrating a contemporary Boschian take on the afterlife. The elevator installation brings ascending guests from the depths of hell, through purgatory and into heaven- letting them out at the top floor club, the exclusive Boom Boom Room.

Last year, guests could also have the Kanye experience, with Brambilla’s “Power.” Doubling as his new video, Power stars Kanye West as a pagan god, surrounded by angels and Egyptian like goddesses in various states of undress. As the elevator ascends and descends, the angels glitter and gyrate around the star, appearing flat as if in a diorama, yet animated.

What: Elevator Video Installations, “Power” and “Civilization”

Who: By Marco Brambilla

Where: The Standard, High Line, 848 Washington at 13th Street, New York, 10014

check out the epic video below, but you should truly experience it as it was intended- while ascending to a rooftop to sip cocktails and overlook the Hudson River.