The newly opened hotel, Cardo Brussels, is proud to announce three collaborations that bring the lifestyle concept to life and champion the rich Belgitude culture.
World’s greatest tribute to Magritte
Cardo Brussels is proud to have entered into a long-term partnership with the Magritte Foundation. This organisation has been committed to the survival and protection of the work and fame of René Magritte, one of Cardo’s great inspirations, since 1998. As René Magritte once said, ‘Everything we see hides something else; we always want to see what is hidden by what we see.’ This philosophy is at the heart of the hotel, which brings this vision to life in its playful character.
Together, the Cardo hotel and the foundation bring Magritte’s art and vision to life in an unparalleled way: as of today, Magritte’s iconic self-portrait ‘Le fils de l’homme’ can be seen on the hotel’s façade, with a height of almost 75 metres and a width of more than 55 metres. This now makes the 30-storey building the largest display of Magritte’s work worldwide. A crowning achievement also for the 100th anniversary of Surrealism, which is being celebrated in the city this year. Every three years, a new Magritte artwork will adorn the facade, providing a continuous dynamic tribute to this art movement, which means a lot to Brussels.
From white walls to life-size comic strips
Inside the hotel, the influence of Magritte’s surrealism is also evident, with frequent use of reflection and humour. The hotel’s interior contains playful elements such as the large screen in the lobby that transforms guests into unique cartoon avatars, the umbrella-shaped coffee tables and open wall cabinets decorated with bowler hats and art books. Artist Annelotte van Thull’s murals also offer an ode to Magritte’s work.
In several public areas of the hotel, Annelotte has transformed walls into a giant canvas for stories that not only decorate the hotel but also connect guests. The comic strips carry a touch of Magritte’s magic, with birds popping up everywhere, references to ‘ceci n’est pas une pipe’ and the iconic apple. ‘Anything to make people stop, laugh and engage in conversation with each other,’ says Annelotte. ‘Whether they chuckle at the funny hat flying over the walls or marvel at a surreal apple. It’s about creating spaces that intrigue and inspire. I believe that life, like my art, is a playground that should not be taken too seriously, and where there is always something to make us laugh and bring us closer together.’
Discover the connecting power of art
Cardo Brussels further strengthens the connection with art with their Artist in Residence programme, in collaboration with internationally renowned artist Nicky Myny. Nicky discovered the healing and connecting power of art when she herself was dealing with a serious illness. Today, Nicky helps and inspires others with it. ‘Together with the hotel, we create an environment where art serves as a bridge between joy, reflection and connection,’ says Nicky. ‘Our programmes are designed to inspire both the local community and our corporate clients, making art an integral part of their experiences and growth.’
Examples of these innovative initiatives include plans for live artistic events, such as satirical portraits and caricatures, which bring a lively atmosphere to the hotel. Nicky also designs and leads bespoke B2B workshops for Cardo’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) clients, offering creative and collaborative experiences that enrich events and provide participants with new perspectives and skills. Also because of her commitment to the local community, she has developed art workshops at Cardo Brussels to offer residents the opportunity for connection and creativity.
With all these great collaborations and artistic initiatives, Cardo Brussels positions itself as a driving force for Belgian art and culture – ce n’est pas qu’un hôtel.
Meeting and event spaces in Brussels’ largest hotel – Cardo Brussels Autograph Collection Hotel
