LEFT: In the general buffet dining restaurant, large fruits are superimposed over island style houses. RIGHT: This rhymatic piece is a unique exploration of the cubist technique and can be seeen in the Internet cafe.

Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer

HOTELS ALONG the north coast are not only about sun, sea, and sex.

The five-star rated Gran Bahia Principe Resort, inclusive of a shopping and entertainment plaza, is a 680-room cultural mecca where visitors indulge intensely in creative works selected by owner Pablo Piero, an avid art collector.

Strengthening the links in the worldwide Grupo Piero chain, this newest Jamaican addition ups the number of hotels to 20 with some 10,000 rooms in four countries - Mexico, Spain, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Piero, who is passionate about classical art (especially from the Renaissance period), was lured by Jamaica's strong cultural mix, as an ideal tool for maintaining distinction and excellence.

On cue, he again commissions varied artists, including those employed within the Piero Group, to 'give a sense of what he likes'. For the Gran Bahia, this was simply to "follow the pattern of universal concepts of art", promoting a distinguished style - a combination of a love for art, peace and tranquility.

Floral and fauna themes

Jamaicans are responsible for the ceramics, and had input in the creation of the magnificent chandeliers crafted by Dominican Republicans. Their floral and fauna themes are mirrored in sea of metal fabricated accessories below. Included in these are standing candlesticks and garbage bins, which complement the crafted metal pineapples set as flowerpots. From Spain artists came to undertake the interior décor in the combined styles of Neoclassicism, Victorian, and Modern Design.

Renowned Mexican sculptor Reneto Holmawn and Dominican Republic sculptors are behind the three militant metal sculptures guarding the winding driveway towards the orange and white hotel - two linear soldiers and an impression of the Trojan horse.

Another Mexican, Fernando Quirate, designed the elegant Victorian style building which commands reverence, especially with the highlighted accents of the sparkling lights at night and the looping pool.

Throughout the hotel, large paintings intimidating of average Jamaican paint sizes are hung. These are by varied artists, mostly Spanish, and fashioned by the design of Piero's heart.

On the special criteria list outlined by Piero, the works in at least one restaurant and two other areas of the hotel had to be done in cubist style, reflecting the technique of Wassily Kandinskiy, a Russian painting master from the early 20th century in Paris.

After hand-picking his artists, Piero himself oversaw the positioning of the paintings to set the mood. This, too, is telling of the Piero's intellectual commitment to his projects from beginning to end.

The three impressive sculptures along the driveway spark the curiosity of visitors and passers-by. An iron warrior almost relaxes a curved sword in a 45-degree angle in the right hand, and is poised with a balance in the left, maybe in tribute to the 'Lady of Justice'. Near the main entrance gate is another soldier, in royal service, lending itself to controversial interpretations.

The stalwart soldier is crafted with the left hand across the breast pledging allegiance, with the right hand holding a sceptre. However, the threads of metal twisted to detail the flowing skirt conjures up images of a mysterious woman, even a witch for some Jamaicans. This, especially, as there is a petite crown sculpted on the hint of wind-blown lengthy hair. In the opposite direction, nearing the hotel's plaza shops, is a sculpted horse, an assemblage of precision cut metallic squares reminding us of the Trojan horse story.

Deep pastel chteaus

Behind the receptionist area is a larger-than-life size corner-to-corner triptych of a Caribbean setting. Perhaps influenced by the Bajan homes, it is of deep pastel chteaus partly hidden by huge banana leaves. A trail of illustrated fauna leads through the passages and up to the rooms, with huge landscapes across the walls of the conference room.

In the Internet café, the paintings are rhythmic with cubism uniquely occurring in the closely knitted curved shapes creating dancing movements visually.

In the Royal Golding Club room, notes of music are abstracted and illustrated through subtle hues of colours that relax guests. There is a guitar partly embedded in purple pink, fuchsia colours, and outlined with black lines.

In the restaurants, the works are commissioned to enhance the appeal for the kind of food being offered, but this is not always successful. The colours are sometimes too harsh, with the quickness of too sharp brush strokes slowing down the pace of the taste buds. However, this weakness gets lost in the overall elegance of the hotel which translates to the presentation of the food in the varied restaurants.

In the main Orquidea restaurant, where there is freedom from rules for dining, the gigantic illustrations make the foods real. The dripping juices immediately stir one's appetite, and at the bread and candy stations, little houses are sculpted from actual bread and candies creating 'Hansel and Gretel' fairy-tale memories, but this time your are free to leave and come again for more.

Fictitious landscapes

At the Fisherman's Place, the landscapes and seascapes influenced by actual scenes are fictitious. The sand is designed as slices of pawpaw. The paintings which lean towards a commercial finish are placed around the room, where three sculpted fish are poised heads up in the middle.

Japanese paintings and carvings create a suitable setting for dining Oriental at the Mikado.

After several months of residing on the island, Mexican photographer Pepé settled at the hotel, where he works commercially, but flirting with fine art expressions with his photography. In his studio are gigantic captures of ageing persons, mostly from Mexican and Jamaican landscapes and seascapes.

Altogether, the hotel's selection reflects Piero's loyalty to transcend visitors to spiritual realms he himself frequently visits. According to Spanish Ambassador Jésus Silva, Piero, who is proactive and energetic, is a typical self-made man, who likes to follow very personally the process of design and construction of his hotels.

"You get the impression that he approaches a new hotel like building a house for his family, he takes it very personal." Piero's wife, Isabel, plays an important role, giving her input in the decoration and design. Silva above all is very impressed with Piero's achievements in "so few years, starting from zero."

Anthea McGibbon, a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, has over 10 years experience in the fields of journalism and the arts. Contact her at islandartattack@yahoo.co.uk or anthea.mcgibbon@gleanerjm.com.