Inherent Vice-Inspired Psychedelic Art Installations Hit Ace Hotels

Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix star in Inherent Vice. Photo: Warner Bros.

If you’re planning some art-filled travel in the new year, you may get more bang for your buck if you stay at the Ace Hotel. Beginning on January 5 in New York and Los Angeles, the design hotel will feature art installations inspired by Paul Thomas Anderson’s recently released film Inherent Vice. On January 19, a similar program will open at the hotel’s London outpost.

Inherent Vice, which is based on a Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name, has been described as a “psychedelic surf noir,” which takes place in LA in the drug-fueled 1970s. Joaquin Phoenix, Owen Wilson, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Reese Witherspoon, and Jena Malone star in the film, and the soundtrack was composed by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.

The art will vary by location, with New York boasting an immersive, alternate reality installation by Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe comprised of found objects. L.A. can look forward to a show of contemporary psychedelic art from several local artists, including the Haas Brothers, John Van Hamersveld, and Steven Harrington. London will feature The Joshua Light Show, a liquid light show by artist Joshua White set to Greenwood’s psychedelic soundtrack.

As an added treat, all guests who book a stay at any of the hotels during the exhibition will receive a free limited-edition vinyl with highlights from the soundtrack.

The art exhibitions presented by the Ace Hotel and Warner Bros. Pictures and inspired by Inherent Vice will be on display at the Ace Hotel in New York and Los Angeles from January 5—11, and in London from January 19—25.


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