Royal Caribbean Announces Ovation of the Seas’ Godmother, Art Collection | Cruise News – Apr. 13, 2016

Royal Caribbean Announces Ovation of the Seas’ Godmother, Plus An 11,000-Piece Art Collection

Cruise News – Apr. 13, 2016

Royal Caribbean International has announced that internationally acclaimed Chinese actress Fan Bingbing will be the godmother for Ovation of the Seas. Fan is the first Chinese celebrity selected to be the godmother of an international cruise line and will officially name the ship during an inaugural ceremony in Tianjin, China, on June 24, 2016.

In addition, the line touted the new ship’s 11,000-piece, $4.5 million dollar art collection inspired by the words of Confucius: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” The collection was curated by London-based Peter Millard and Partners and features contemporary art from artists from around the world.

For example, “Mama and Baby,” is a larger-than-life commission designed by U.K.-based artist Jo Smith. Perched atop the SeaPlex on Deck 15, the piece depicts a mother panda and her cub reaching out to one another. Considered a symbol of good luck and a national treasure in Chinese culture, the pandas were curated with Ovation of the Seas’ primarily Chinese guests in mind and are also a nod to the line’s newly announced partnership with World Wildlife Fund.

Other artwork includes the high-tech “Sky Wave,” the first-ever kinetic moving sculpture at sea, which pivots and curves at different points to mirror the flow of wind and water. The ship’s elevator art is elevating the selfie art game with all-new imagery from Chinese photographer Huainan Li’s series, “The World of the Senses,” which features futuristic faces of women accented in metallic hues and wearing glasses that reflect a variety of whimsical scenes.

Guests can also enjoy the work of Liu Bieli, a Chinese artist who played into the natural movement of the ship with an adaptation from her “Lure” series of installations. The sculpture was created to fit the rotunda location and represents an ancient Chinese legend depicting the red threads that connect Chinese children to their soulmates.

In addition, a sculpture by artist Zheng Lu was inspired by the artist’s father, a Chinese poet, and weaves Chinese symbols together in a delicate fashion. And artist Dominic Harris engages show-goers with an interactive piece titled “Flutter Wall,” a 120-inch screen that showcases butterflies on a black canvas that seemingly fly away as guests walk up for a closer view.

The second Quantum-class ship to be deployed in China, Ovation of the Seas will sail its inaugural season from Tianjin after a one month mini season from Hong Kong before the ship repositions to its winter homeport in Australia in December 2016.


Photos: Royal Caribbean International


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