Costa Cruises > Sculpture by Botero on board the Costa Luminosa
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"Donna sdraiata 2004" (Reclining Woman 2004), a monumental patinated bronze sculpture by Fernando Botero, commissioned by Costa Cruises, will be installed on board the Costa Luminosa in the spectacular atrium. The new member of the Costa Cruises fleet is set to enter service in May 2009.

"Donna sdraiata 2004" – length 346 cm; breadth 177 cm; height 152 cm; weight 910 kg – has taken shape using the ancient traditional technique of lost wax casting.
A voluminous female figure stares into space, daydreaming in a reclining position; her expression is subtle and ironic, while the position of her legs in movement is extremely dynamic. The sculpture is an imposing presence which defines and influences the surrounding space, establishing an ongoing dialogue with the decoration in the atrium of the Costa Luminosa.
The lone individual is the subject of many of the artist’s works, which often feature single female figures in striking poses, with expressions and attire that Botero uses to telling effect in order to convey personality, experience, thought and desire.
The decision to acquire the sculpture ‘Donna sdraiata 2004’ by Fernando Botero for the Costa Luminosa – said Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and C.E.O. of Costa Crociere S.p.A. - is first and foremost the consequence of a personal passion for that artist’s creative work as a whole; at the same time, though, it also represents the continuation of a tradition for Costa, namely that of decorating our ships with contemporary works embracing the various forms of expressive art and displaying them to our Guests on vacation. What’s more, this particular sculpture by Botero has such expressive force and energy that it will interact with and influence the setting and interior design in the spectacular atrium of the ship where it is to be permanently exhibited.
The Costa Luminosa (92,700 gross tonnage and total Guest capacity of 2828) will be a trendsetter in contemporary design; she will draw her inspiration from the idea of the light in all its forms, in keeping with Costa Cruises’ tradition of choosing a central theme for the interior decoration of each ship: in this case the iridescent interiors decorated with superior materials (fine marble, timbers and mother of pearl) and the use of state-of-the-art technology will provide stunning light and color effects.
Botero’s specially commissioned sculpture will become the symbol of the ship herself, which will combine the very best of the Costa product designed to satisfy even the most discerning customer.

The central staircase on board the Costa Luminosa will display a set of previously unpublished photographs, entitled “A Homage to the Master” and consisting of nine panels by Matteo Piazza depicting the artist Botero at work on paintings and sculptures. The giant photographs are in black and white and measure up to 210 x 120 cm.

Like all the ships in the fleet, the public areas and cabins on the Costa Luminosa will feature the works of selected contemporary artists commissioned to carry out original creative projects based on the central idea for the interior decoration.

The ships in the Costa fleet – veritable “floating resorts” – are themselves holiday destinations offering accommodation, entertainment, fun and relaxation for a huge number of people: over 1 million a year on Costa Cruises ships alone. Art has always been used worldwide as a decorative element for interiors and exteriors and, to this end, it blends in perfectly with the décor on board. A room, a lounge, an atrium, a passageway or a cabin thus become natural settings for the display and appreciation of works of art in a traveling exhibition seen by a vast and culturally diverse public.

Costa Cruises is thus continuing its 60-year-old tradition, with its role as a modern-day patron of the arts, acquiring and installing on board the ships in its fleet the works of leading international sculptors which, together with the paintings commissioned from contemporary artists and inspired by the themes of the ships, now constitute an artistic heritage and a superb floating collection seen by the 1 million plus Guests a year that choose a Costa cruise vacation.