Life's A Gamble: A Unique Art Installation at The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas

A Fusion of Hedonism, Digital Art, and Luxury Interiors

This bespoke artwork, commissioned by Richmond International for The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas, needed to fuse several concepts. The hedonistic aspect of Vegas, the hotel’s digital art philosophy, and the position of the artwork within the luxury interiors, sat in front of floor to ceiling windows. The artwork depicts a pixilated image composed of 3,470 custom-made casino-grade dice. The semi-transparency of many of the dice interact with the daylight and nightlife. Reflecting the interior colour scheme, the diptych is framed in polished nickel-plated brass & mounted to a bronze base.

This unique art installation, named "Life's A Gamble," designed by Robin Greene, is a stunning fusion of art, technology, and luxury. Inspired by the hedonistic and gambling aspect of Las Vegas, the hotel's digital art philosophy, and the opulent interiors of the villa, Greene created an artwork that reflects the essence of the city while embracing the world of digital art.

The artwork is composed of 3,470 casino-grade dice, meticulously arranged to form a pixilated image. Each panel measures 106cm high x 76cm wide, and the total diptych measurement is 106cm high x 154cm wide, including spacers. The bronze base, which adds to the artwork's grandeur, measures 85cm high. The polished nickel-plated brass frames and thick reflective perspex panels perfectly complement the luxury color scheme created by interior designers Richmond International.

What sets "Life's A Gamble" apart is its ability to transform throughout the day. The semi-transparent elements within the artwork interact with the changing daylight, causing the colors and appearance of the artwork to shift. During daylight, the figure merges into the background, and the colors come to life. At night, the figure dominates, and the lack of light blends the background into the figure. As viewers walk around the artwork, they can observe the light refracting through the dice cubes, creating a mesmerizing visual experience.

The realization of this artwork required a combination of artistic vision and technical expertise. The initial image was created using computer-aided design (CAD) software to ensure the precise placement of each dice. Most of the casino dice used were custom-made without dots, adding to the unique appearance of the artwork. Squares were laser cut out of brass sheets to create a template for the dice, with each square measuring exactly 19x19mm. The custom-made frames and screws were nickel-plated brass, matching the overall aesthetic. The base, a custom-made welded bronze structure, provides stability and elegance.

The "Life's A Gamble" art installation was a challenging project that required careful planning and execution. The concept had to be approved by both the interior design firm and the hotel, ensuring it aligned with their vision. Designing an artwork using dice as a medium was a completely new and uncharted territory. The installation itself presented challenges, particularly in terms of how light would interact with the artwork when placed in front of a window. Additionally, installing the artwork in a foreign country required meticulous attention to safety and logistical considerations.

The "Life's A Gamble" art installation was installed at The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas in December 2016, after nearly five months of development and production. Its unique blend of hedonism, digital art, and luxury interiors has garnered recognition and accolades. In 2017, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Fine Arts and Art Installation category, showcasing its outstanding creativity, technical skill, and contribution to enhancing the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

Life's A Gamble is a testament to the power of art to captivate and transform spaces, creating an immersive and visually stunning experience for viewers. Its fusion of hedonism, digital art, and luxury interiors makes it a standout piece in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: ROBIN GREENE
Image Credits: ROBIN GREENE
Project Team Members: Design Engineer: Johan Llewellyn King
Project Name: Life is a Gamble
Project Client: ROBIN GREENE


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