Call it the Booze Arts movement.
The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, in transitioning its look from country club to nightclub, commissioned modern art as part of its $20 million glam-up. Once the big, bold abstracts were in place, the bar staff invented specialty drinks for each one.
"It was a team effort," said food and beverage manager Kerem Kendigelen, noting that mixologist Carlos Ruiz oversaw the libation creation.
"We had to do a lot of testing," joked Sandra Ryder, area director of public relations.
Three artists attended last week's grand opening of Lumen, the downtown hotel's hip new bar. The private reception introduced the pairing of canvas and cocktail.
"It's well done," said Boston artist Jen Bradley, sipping a "sky canvas" next to her piece "Toile de Ciel." "As a painter, I'm dealing with physical relationships. All of a sudden I'm dealing with another sense."
Her oil painting measures 72 by 120 inches. It's pink — really pink — and accented with a French toile pattern. The suitably pink drink it inspired, made with pomegranate vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau and raspberry puree, is accented with a lemon twist.
"If I got drunk on this and started to paint, I'd be covered in pink," Bradley said with a laugh.
Ah. Since she mentioned it, we always thought drink inspired art, not the other way around. Little Five Points artist Bob Ichter pondered the paradigm as we chatted near "Seas of Europa" the painting and sampled "seas of Europa" the drink.
"I am definitely anxious to meet anyone who likes the painting or the cocktail," said Ichter, whose vibrant work, measuring 144 by 102 inches, hangs at the Peachtree Street entrance. Its corresponding drink is made with Stoli strawberry vodka, Watermelon Pucker schnapps, a splash of Cointreau and blue curaçao liqueur pearls.
"I think sipping on a 'seas of Europa' cocktail definitely enhances one's appreciation for the piece," Ichter mused.
Each of the art cocktails is $12 at the funky bar, whose light-up menus and mirrored tables replaced the dated furnishings of the Lobby Lounge.
Fear not, traditionalists, the Ritz-Carlton didn't declare a complete out with the old. Its venerable 18th- and 19th-century European oils are assembled together, hung salon-style in the entrance from the 191 Peachtree building.
"We are ever mindful of our history," said general manager Tod Morrow. "We believe the new environment appeals to people with taste and a sense of style, yet reflects new trends appropriate to the next generation."
And surely nothing courts hipsters like quirky cocktails. Atlanta artist Clem Bedwell was honored to be invited to test- drive an "evening bonfire," named after his painting. His 54-by-43-inch acrylic prompted a drink made with Absolut Kurant, limoncello, blue curaçao and blueberry and mango purees. Naturally, we wondered what effect such a concoction would have on future works.
"I would probably paint bigger and louder if I was tanked up on a cocktail named for a painting of mine," Bedwell said. "I'd let all my personalities paint."
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