Klimt... the Restaurant??

While visiting friends in Orlando recently, we went for drinks at a
local joint called The Westin Grand Bohemian, in downtown Orlando.

As we sat there enjoying our company, I couldn't help noticing the art
that hung on the wall. My friends had failed to mention that we were
surrounded by original sketches by Klimt. In fact, we were in the
restaurant's rotunda, aptly named The Klimt Rotunda.

I was astonished. As I investigated the place further, I discovered
works by Chihuly, Elsie Ject-Key, DiNello, and even some original
paintings by Marcel Marceau.

In The Klimt Rotunda we also found a rare Bösendorfer piano,
apparently one of only two in the existence. The woman in charge
approached us and gave us some history of the place, but especially
the piano. She inquired if any of us played piano, to which my friends
all pointed to me.

I was floored when she invited me to play in front of a restaurant
full of people. Nervous as a mongoose, I was able to pull off a lovely
piece by composer Jô Hisaishi, although my version was quite
bareboned.

The Imperial Grand Bösendorfer Piano features gold-leaf inlays, a
hydraulic lid, long, brass legs, and a sound that could bring a
mountain down in a pillow of air. Just magnificent.

As for the artwork, the six Klimt drawings were lovely, though nothing
terribly inspiring. They did tell of an artist who at least studied
anatomy and had a light hand for sketching. Very very nice work to
just "happen" upon.

The rest of the works ranged from brilliant and bizarre, to just plain
amatuerish. Marcel Marceau's work especially surprised me. It's no
wonder he was famous for pantimime and not painting. His works were
childlike versions of Munch paintings complete with ominous "eyes"
peering from the trees. Nothing to call home about there.

The hotel itself is an ode to European styling. A lush, well
put-together dig. I was also impressed by the amount and attention to
detail in the architecture and the textiles.

In all, it was a great little discovery, and if you happen to be in
the area, well worth a look-see.