As you enter the sleek, modern highrise structure that is Hotel Zena, you’re greeted by stunning art created by women, in honor of women, and focused on the feminine struggle. The overall theme of this elegant new hotel is unmistakably centered around feminism, but what truly sets this boutique Viceroy hotel apart are the intricate details and curated art collection that fill the space. This impressive space opened during the height of the pandemic and is gradually becoming a hot spot for overnight stays, themed events, and a fabulous art collection.
On Friday, Aug. 26, Hotel Zena opened its doors to guests, locals, and media to experience the hotel in honor of National Women’s Equality Day. With cocktails provided by female-founded distillery Catoctin Creek, lip print readings by a “lipsologist”, raffles for Viceroy perks with proceeds going directly towards the Global Fund for Women, and live music by Emma G, a DC-based singer and mentor for local youth, the event strived to empower women from beginning to end.
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There was a special presentation by artist and photographer Liora K, in celebration of her collection “The Feminist Photos,” which is on display in guest rooms at Hotel Zena. Liora K started the series in 2012 when she had just graduated college and moved to Arizona, which was a red state even then. She felt powerless and scared by the Republican lawmakers in her state and their plans for placing harsher controls on women’s reproductive rights.
Artist Liora K poses with her collection.
As an artist, she wanted to create something that would be easy to understand amongst all audiences, both on social media and in-person, something that would humanize the issues, and bring a mirror to the viewers who interacted with it. She created the black and white photo series “The Feminist Photos” and styled them in reflective frames, making it seemingly impossible to view or photograph the piece without your reflection getting in the way. Viewers can see themselves in the work, both literally and figuratively.
The collection features photographs of women with words painted on their bodies.
“There are rarely opportunities where women are able to use their bodies to tell their own stories,” says Liora K.
The artist was surprised when Hotel Zena contacted her in 2019 to use the series in their guest rooms, but the prolific and far-reaching nature of the collection is just another driving force behind its power. The images have made the rounds on social media and Liora K is excited for the work’s physical home to be at Hotel Zena.
The main floor of the hotel is home to Figleaf, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and The Portrait Gallery. The display gallery features portraits of influential women who have significantly shaped women’s rights and gender equality. In creating this space, the hotel provided a curated team of artists with a list of the 30 most powerful women’s rights activists ever and asked them to select the subject they most connected with, and create a portrait of them in whatever medium or style the artist saw fit.
The result? Gorgeous, unique portraits of Shirley Chisholm, Sampat Pal Devi, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, and so many more. The original artwork is unique to the space and seamlessly blends the sleek style of the hotel with polished finishes.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the gallery is the massive Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait. The “notorious” late Supreme Court Justice is immortalized in a portrait comprised of sustainably-made, hand-painted tampons and bullets. The stunning pointillist portrait was created by Andrea Sheehan x Julie Coyle Art Associates. It’s powerful and poignant with aptly-chosen materials.
Check out the full collection of Hotel Zena’s feminist art work via their online catalog or by visiting Hotel Zena at 1155 14th Street NW.
Photography by: Lindsay Garbacik
