A complete guide to art on a yacht charter

Without getting too much into defining art (because it would take hundreds of pages ), the point of this article is to analyze how superyachts influence the art world, both in an active and a passive manner. Since the synonymity of the word „art“ puts into question the way in which we interpret art on a yacht, this article will consist of 4 parts.

The body of this guide will try to distinguish between different aspects and levels of art being integrated on yacht charters.

The first part of the article will focus on the possibilities that you have during your yacht charter holiday i.e. creating works of art on your yacht during a vacation.

The second part of the article will focus on experiencing art on a yacht as an observer, in witnessing and analysing actual works of art.

The third part will tackle the problem of keeping art on a yacht i.e. what are the technical pre-requisites of storing and placing art on a yacht.

Finally, the fourth part will discuss how a yacht can be viewed as a work of art on its own, by understanding that a superyacht, as a concept and a physical thing, has a strong artistic presence; so much so, that it could be considered a pragmatic „work of art“

Creating art on a yacht

On your yacht charter holiday in Croatia, there are many different things you can do. Spending your time in leisure, drinking cocktails or having massages is really a dream come true, but guests rarely want the same thing every day. Sometimes, changing a day`s itinerary slightly can have a major positive impact on the outcome of your Croatian yacht vacation. This is why you should consider creating art while on a yacht, as one of the many things you can do on a yacht, with the help of your professional crew and their local advice.

Painting on a yacht charter

Painting is one of the pillars of traditional art; it is a relaxing and soothing activity which you can do anywhere, including the sundeck of your yacht charter. Regardless if you are a novice or have some painting experience, even the act itself is well worth the effort. You will be doing something new and different; the outcome itself is only the bonus, whether it be a sensational new masterpiece, a theme for a conversation, a unique souvenir or just a reason for a good joke.

For every art project aboard your yacht charter, you can always count on the assistance of your expert charter crew. Be inspired by the breath-taking panoramas of the Croatian Adriatic sea and try to capture some of that magic and beauty on a canvass. Learn new painting techniques or stick to what you know while being directed by a professional painter or an art teacher, brought on board by your crew.

Knowing that a painting can capture emotions, you could try to paint what you perceive with your body, as well as your soul. Afterwards, enjoy a truly unique souvenir from your yacht charter holiday in Croatia. Also, this does not have to be a long painting session, you could be done in less than 20 minutes.

Pottery & sculpting

After humans discovered pottery, civilisation changed for the better – could the same be true for you? Consider a short introduction to pottery, followed by a practical course by an experienced art teacher or a professional sculptor.

Occupy a private beach on Krk island with your yacht charter and work with natural clay, straight from the depths of the earth. Create a unique sculpture and leave it to bake under the hot sun – that is how it was done in the past.

If you are more inclined to work with different materials, try wood crafting. There are several interesting traditional Croatian motifs that you could try and mimic, or go with something that particularly inspires you. Work near the edge of the water, on the swimming platform of your yacht charter and be swept away by inspiration, coming straight from the azure Croatian Adriatic sea.

Another option is to hire a professional sculptor and visit him in his studio, where he can present a short class, which could help you learn a new skill while on vacation.

Photography and film

In this day and age, when everyone carries around a professional camera integrated into their phone, it seems that everyone knows how to take photographs. But, this could not be further from the truth

Taking photos may not be as easy as it seems if you are not just snapping random pics, but instead trying to capture the essence of your yacht holiday. Small details matter, as do the framing, timing, filters, lighting and many other different factors. Taking into account the time of day, the composition of the photograph and the concept behind the photograph is what truly makes a regular photo into a work of art.

You can even book a professional photo shoot on board your yacht charter – just ask your local charter crew and they will arrange it.

Filming also seems quite redundant for us, due to technology, but making quality videos with a massage, as well as content, is sometimes tricky to pull off. If you want to make a short documentary about your experiences in Croatia, there is also sound to consider, as well as a theme, the cast, the locations, the script and dozens of other elements.

This could mean that preserving perfect memories might not be as easy as it seems; because of this, you could ask your diligent charter crew for assistance and help in those areas that always need a couple of extra hands.

Compose a short script before choosing the perfect anchorage for your yacht charter, like a private bay with great sunsets or a far-away cape that is perfect for stargazing or plankton-watching.

Writing & Poetry

We write every day, constantly on our phones and other smart devices, but rarely do we give artistic attention to something we wrote – at the end of the day, texts have to be short and to the point, while business emails should always be professional and concise.

Writing and poetry, as paradoxical as that may seem, are not a popular form of art in today`s world, but never underestimate the impact of a well-timed song or a sonet on your loved one, particularly if the background for reciting it happens to be a luxury superyacht in the middle of the Croatian Adriatic sea.

If you are not keen on poetry, write a short story or an essay about your yacht experiences in Croatia – we would be your first and most devoted audience. If you are having a difficult time composing something you would consider worthy of reading, ask your charter crew for help. Despite working on yachts, your crew are all young professionals with college degrees and surely, among them will be one person who can assist you in finding the ideal words to surprise your partner on your holiday.

Music

Create music or just take it in. Your yacht charter is a perfect stage for either learning a new instrument, working on your singing voice or relaxing on the swimming platform of your yacht charter, while listening to incredibly crisp music coming out from the costume Bose speakers.

If you want to learn a new instrument, simply inform your crew and they will hire a professional music coach to teach you that one song you always wanted to know how to play. Singing is also not a problem at all, particularly if you want to light up your social media accounts with new interpretations of classic songs.

Your yacht charter has unlimited potential of becoming an excellent stage for karaoke, which is great for both working on your singing skill and having fun with your charter party. Also, there is an option of hiring professional musicians and enjoying live music with your charter party on your yacht.

Did you know that there is a way of listening to music made by Nature, while you are in Croatia? This is the case with the Zadar Sea Orgon, a contraption made on the seafront of the Zadar Oldtown peninsula, comprised of stone steps with different-shaped pipes fitted into their interior. When the waves hit the steps and the pipes inside, it creates a hauntingly-beautiful sound, one that very well could become the sound of your newfound love for Zadar and Croatia as yachting destinations.

Bonus: Museum and art tour in Croatia

Before you start to notice specific works of art on a yacht, it would be interesting to visit several Croatian museums, to get a feel for art critique and appreciation. Depending on what you want to see and experience, there are many different kinds of museums on the Croatian coastline. The more traditional ones base their exhibits around history, but the more modern ones do take it a step further, with exhibitions like the Museum of Illusions in Zadar.

The exhibit in this museum will play games with the visual perceptions of space, depth perception and colours. Let this museum play tricks on your senses as you have fun going through its numerous displays and rooms. It is definitely a fun place to check out if you have a free morning in Zadar, while on your yacht charter holiday in Croatia.

Split houses two high-end, but more traditional museums, the Split Archeological Museum and the Gallery of Fine Arts, both of which keep incredible cultural and historic treasures, both equally attractive to history or art buffs.

If you decide to charter your yacht in Dubrovnik, one of the most picturesque cities in the entire Adriatic, you could stop by the Museum of the Croatian Independence War. This museum is attractive for two reasons – for a better understanding of the country you are visiting and for enjoying the absolutely breathtaking views because the museum is housed on Srđ mountain, which overlooks the entire Dubrovnik archipelago and is accessible via cable car, as well as roads.

Moving more into practical art, Croatia is a hive of activity during the summer, with many different festivals that celebrate art in its many forms. This fact does not concern the numerous  EDM music festivals but exclusively focuses on higher art and a cultured approach to consuming art.

These festivals include the Days of Diocletian, which take place from the 17th of May to the 20th of September in Split, as well as the Dubrovnik Summer Games, from July 10th to August 25th and the Motovun Film Festival, from the 23rd of July to the 27th of August.

Experiencing art on a yacht charter

When talking about yachts and art, the interior decor is commonly what comes to mind. Besides the design, the furniture and the naval architecture, the artwork placed in the interior of the yacht really does set the tone for a certain space, creating an atmosphere that is immediately noticeable to anyone who observes how well certain art pieces accentuate a specific characteristic of the yacht in question.

This means that choosing a certain art piece is crucial for fine-tuning any yacht environment.

Besides, yachts are one of the best places to store and display artwork; being great symbols of wealth themselves, they also have an intricate system to measure and adapt warmth, moisture, light exposure etc. It is only natural to want to adorn yachts with artwork that is both meaningful and tied to the interior decor of the yacht. It is also often the case that designers envision an art direction before the hull is even joined with the superstructure, matching the exterior profile of the yacht.

Example 1 – TALEYA yacht

The main artworks on TALEYA are observable in the main deck interior salon. The interior of the main salon looks like a quaint art gallery in some regards, with dimmer lighting, clean surfaces with spaced artworks and a central socialising point for discussing the surrounding art. Smooth and straight lines and a modern and minimalistic decor capture attention and direct it towards the artwork.

Bare in mind, that there is a perfect balance between aesthetically correct and over-saturated; the pieces are subtle enough to grab attention, but not abundant enough to be considered kitschy.
A general prevalence of wood and wood surfaces creates a natural and grounding effect, gently merging the art pieces with the overall decor.

There are no abstractions, paintings or otherwise, on TALEYA; rather, there are concrete human and animal forms, re-shaped by the art direction that manifested through the piece.
The themes are light and casual, with no heavy existentialist themes or any other sort of “hard art” – the concepts in the pieces tend to show pleasure, leisure or uninterrupted flow of time in a person`s life.

The colours of the art pieces always match and harmonise with the colours present in the interior, never clashing with the decor. This means that sacrificing some early attention from a potential observer, the designer subtly incorporated the artwork to fill a role of a greater yacht design, not just being an adornment on a wall, but a small piece in an intricate, aesthetically-pleasing puzzle.

Besides art pieces, there is also a couple of photographs, present in the main deck master cabin. Every other guest cabin on board has its own artwork, usually photographic in nature.

Example 2 – SOUNDWAVE yacht

11.11 truly is a magnificent yacht – all of her features, both external and internal, are breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly functional. The exterior features and naval architecture were designed by the Bennetty SpA team, with interior design being attributed to Candy & Candy. 11.11 boasts an Art-deco-inspired interior, full of reflective glass and polished surfaces, creating an intricate shimmer of light that follows guests everywhere they go. The furniture is lightly coloured, complemented by massive amounts of daylight coming in through big windows, across the main and upper decks.

The designer team of 11.11 picked 3 artists and their work to elevate the interior atmosphere of this yacht to new and exciting heights; Tracy Emin, Hans Kotter and Dominic Harris. All of them have a nick for intertwining modern technology, light and classical forms – all of which can also be observed in the interior of 11.11

Hans Kotter`s neon-blue sculptures can be found in the foyer, next to the awesome staircase in the main deck and bridge deck lobbies His light sculptures play with space and light, and are a perfect match for 11.11`s lavish and highly-reflective interior

Tracy Emin is known for other works besides light sculptures and digital art, most of which are heavily self-confessing, while others explore the female form in a post-structuralistic way, dissecting raw emotion that can be observed in certain poses. This part of her work can rely on subtleties that can be analysed from her light sculptures on 11.11, especially if observers are familiar with her pedigree.

Dominic Harris is famous for his butterfly pieces, combining movement, light and a traditional theme; they can be found near the main deck bar.

To bring digital-based artwork into a neo-deco-designed space could be somewhat dubious, because of potential clashes between the analogue neo-deco interior design and the digital fluorescence of modern futuristic artwork. But, it seems that 11.11`s design team successfully integrated modern technology and “classical” design.

The two separate art directions do not clash, rather create an atmosphere that can be labelled as something between neo-deco-noir and subtle futurism, with a dash of 80`s fluorescence, neon&glowstick mania

This is mostly due to the many reflective and polished surfaces aboard, that allow for every light source to come alive and find itself in the centre of attention. So picking a classical painting or an old canvas would not energise the interior quite like modern digital artwork.

To be able to bring together such different art directions, and then blend them seamlessly, in effect creating something that transcends “regular” interior yacht design is a work of a true master decorator/designer. Truly, 11.11 is a prime example of how to match the independence of interior yacht design and the artwork of prominent modern artists, who have had no influence on the early decor.

Keeping art on a yacht

Keeping art on a yacht always has its pros and cons. For one thing, yachts are safe places, kept under surveillance 24/7, with state-of-the-art security technology and experienced crew members. Yachts are also very good at preserving art, thanks to the possibility of setting up the exact level of humidity, temperature and lighting an art piece needs to be kept under optimal conditions.

Imagining these interiors without these works of art, the space instantly becomes infinitely more closed, as it has lost its soul. With the naval architecture setting the rules and boundaries of space in yachts, it is very important to choose art pieces that will have a counter-effect on this “closure”. Just compare several modern yacht designs in the present; it is all about open spaces, glass walls, bringing the outside in and not shutting yourself inside. And to accomplish that effect, that “opening of space” , it is necessary for the artwork to:

Be in harmony with the space and the lighting, by using colours, themes and shapes that sync with the already set environment.

Be placed in a way that subtly communicates a broader concept – it is never sufficient to just place any art piece on any wall on a yacht. It needs to resonate with the purpose and energy of the space itself.

There are several factors that contribute positively to observing art on a yacht charter, like:

Proper lighting

Every artwork should be as visible as possible – otherwise, what`s the point of keeping art on a yacht? There are some pieces that can rest in subtle nooks or far corners of the yacht, but there are others that should not be tucked away into a corner.

The pièce de résistance should be always lighted properly, so it could be observed at any time of day or night, whether by guest, owner or crew. This means that proactive measures also need to be taken, regarding protection from harmful outside influences, relating primarily to UV rays, which are especially harmful to canvasses.

That is why anti-glare and reflective glass is needed, to protect those pieces that need special attention. Also, quality air ventilation is also important, because a yacht is constantly surrounded by salty, windy and humid conditions, which are incredibly harmful to all but the sturdiest of artworks.

Proper positioning

Art has to be visible, or what’s the point of having artwork on a yacht, if it is not meant to be viewed and discussed about? But, not every position is perfect. When placing artwork on a yacht, there are several important factors one has to consider when choosing the ideal place. Spatial restrictions are a major factor on yachts. Things like lower ceilings, angled walls or tight corners are more prevalent than wide, long and clean surfaces on which you can hang your favourite piece.

Also, you have to constantly be aware that a yacht is not stationary, so the noise and vibrations coming from the engines also play a major role in determining the perfect place for an art piece.

Even if the yacht has stabilisers, rocking and rolling on heavy seas may also influence the position of an art piece; so much so that there are tales from the yachting industry where improperly fixed artwork went flying around on high seas. Finally, the galley is also a factor, with scents, fumes and potential disasters when carrying food from the galley to the dining table, so it is best to keep any art as far away from the galley as possible

Trained crew

Yacht crew have to be specially trained to handle valuable artwork aboard superyachts, to avoid any kind of accidental damage to valuable pieces. There are several anecdotes from the yachting industry of how negligence caused multi-million dollar damages to an art piece, like accidentally hitting a piece with a cork, flying from a champagne bottle that one of the crew members opened in the wrong direction.

There are courses that the crew aboard a superyacht can undergo, so they can become knowledgeable and able to handle and take care of expensive pieces.

The courses cover everything from how to care for artworks and what to do in emergencies to how to properly analyse and interpret some works of art. This is for those situations when a guest asks about a particular piece, and there is no one besides the crew to give a straight answer. In a couple of years, we might be seeing actual art history being implemented into the curriculum of a yacht stewardess training course.

The courses are guided by professional conserves, with decades of experience in world-renowned museums.

Proper security

Since artwork collections can sometimes be valued more than the yacht they are housed on, it is necessary to take dedicated security precautions. For owners, securing their artwork collection is sometimes more important than comfort or design, so necessary sacrifices have to be made, however aesthetically displeasing they may be.

These include CCTV and wireless cameras, silent alarms tied to the yacht as well as full alarms tied to the local police. A crew trained in security and art safety is also a bonus, but a private security contractor is always the best bet, if the preservation of artworks on yachts is a prerogative. Finally, bullet-proof glass for canvasses and painting is also important, making sure no accidents happen near the piece, as well as protection from potential thieves.

Observing yachts as pieces of art

The craftsmanship and artistry of yacht engineers and designers should, under all circumstances, be considered art, at least in its practical form. This would be analogous to architecture, where the medium of space is used both practically and artistically, be it though, the artistic part of architecture is rarely given any attention.

The same goes for yachts. A person must possess a certain amount of knowledge to be able to understand all the fine processes, the countless manhours and infinite drafts and corrections that go into just a basic superyacht concept.

Because shipyards are seen as one step from being full-fledged factories, the everyday person perceives them as noisy and greasy metal-working centres, so they rarely see past the facade. Inside the shipyard, magnificent and glorious things happen. An inanimate object undergoes a process of being given a practical purpose, as well as an artistic value.

This breathes life into a lifeless thing and a transformation occurs – from a pile of steel and glass emerges a working piece of art; that in itself is worthy of being called “art”.

There are some yachts that are produced in series and no hand-crafting goes in their process; these examples should be exempt from custom-made superyachts that cannot exist without a concept guiding their architecture and design.

The owner has the final word on the aesthetics of the yacht, and his artistic concept is what guides the artists behind the scenes ( the designers, artisans, craftsmen, metalworkers and engineers ) to create a living thing out of inanimate objects.

Besides the electrical engineering, the incredible complexity of engine dynamics and maintenance, as well as plumbing, air-conditioning, thrusters, refrigeration and every other complex system aboard a yacht, it is hard not to notice the intricacy and expertise that goes into hand-making every single piece of furniture, decor, details and lighting.

Before any material even touches the finger of the first master craftsmen, the yacht first needs to be drawn, first in rough sketches, then in more detail. Just like a master painter would have done with every other canvass. The last step is more technical, where the rough sketch of the yacht is translated into a computer, which then has to calculate the hydro-dynamicity of the hull, the drag, the beam length, as well as the shape of the bow and the weight balance.

These calculations also include the more subtle mediums of staircases, chandeliers, fine details paired with exclusive textures, and anything and everything that is not considered to be „mainstream“ art.

Privately-owned and operated yachts are bound to be the first choice when an owner considers storing art on a yacht. This is because privately owned and operated yachts are environments you can monitor more closely, instead of charter yachts. Charter yachts are thus less likely to contain significant works of art, but there are some yachts in SuperYachts Croatia`s catalogue that could be considered as having fine art onboard.

To observe yachts as a work of art, one must be knowledgeable of how all the components come together. To be able to appreciate how the little things fit into a bigger whole, as well as understand how much meticulous craftsmanship goes into every detail, while also serving a very specific purpose of sea transportation, is within itself a work of art.

Here are two examples of such an analysis:

TATIANA yacht charter

Every yacht has an abstract artistic concept behind it, and Tatiana is no different. Light, reflection and texture are the main concepts behind Tatiana`s design, and this fact can be observed in most of the social spaces on board (with the cabins being less faithful to the concept, showing significantly less artistic quality than can be observed in the sky lounge, for instance), starting with the beach club and the entrance from the main deck aft into the main salon.

Futuristic design with tendencies towards seethrough and reflective surfaces, as well as luminescence and light. Constantly eye-pleasing, a never-ending dynamic of light and shadow creates an atmosphere in which something is always moving.

One of the prime examples of this is the entrance to the main deck salon from the main deck aft, an incredible achievement of both interior yacht design and an artistic vision that exudes from the crude physical form and reaches well above the yacht as a vessle, touching TATIANA`s very essence.

Each deck acts as a portal to a completely different aesthetic, focusing primarily on a different choice of colours and textures. An example of this would be the staircase, where grey-ish overtones overlap with streamlined light sources and irregular reflective surfaces.

SEVEN SINS yacht charter

Seven Sins tries to bring together two very different things: modernity and traditionalism, whilst in the same time, combining those two with nature and natural elements. The use of colours and materials strongly suggest a lean towards primal earthen colours, with tones ranging from creme white and light beige to brown, chestnut and dark beige.

This choice of colours somewhat ties modern features with the “traditional yachting”, but it is the way that these two factors intertwine with nature and natural elements that really sets apart Seven Sins from many different yachts. A wide beam creates a sense of width and well as length, extending the bow of SEVEN SINS into the infinite sea, thus blending nature and machine in a subtle, but functioning manner.

Conclusion

After all that has been said, it is sound to conclude that yachts are not far from art pieces. Their huge artistic potential and incredible diversity require a deep understanding of every aspect of the yacht-building process to really appreciate the subtle differences and artistic movement required to achieve a perfect blend between art and functionality.

True art is balance, and the perfect example of this is the yacht because it represents the balance between functionality and aesthetic, the balance between dedication, artistry and countless man-hours on one hand and grace, symbolism and ultimate freedom on the other.

There are no grounds for being firm about the stance on yachts not being art, because the word “art” itself is taken and interpreted in a hundred different ways all over the world. And if one person can attribute artistic elements to something completely arbitrary – let’s say, a black square, then a yacht enthusiast can claim (and for good reason) that yachts are, in fact, works of art equally as they are transport vessels or ideal backgrounds for creating art from scratch.