Daniel Arsham and Kohler Unveil Spectacular Guest Cottage Overlooking Lake Michigan
The collaboration also includes a new bath collection called Landshapes, an outdoor art installation, and an assortment of golf attire with Malbon
Perhaps no contemporary artist has been more prolific in expanding the boundaries of collaboration than Daniel Arsham, a Galerie Creative Mind, who has translated his otherworldly aesthetic into experiential installations, futuristic-looking products, and more. The latest, completed in conjunction with Kohler, spans not only pieces for the bath but also a boutique getaway on Kohler’s scenic Wisconsin campus, an installation of six outdoor artworks, and an assortment of golf attire with Malbon, introduced to coincide with the location’s award-winning course, Whistling Straits.
“Kohler is honored to partner with Arsham and Malbon, two creative forces that share our passion for bold ideas and immersive experiences,” said David Kohler, Chair and CEO of Kohler Co., which is in the midst of celebrating its 150th anniversary. “We thoroughly embrace and enjoy the creative process—not only as an outlet for innovation, but also as an ethos of presenting new possibilities in design.”
A total of six public artworks by Arsham now punctuate the rolling lawns that surround the acclaimed golf courses Meadow Valleys and The Baths at Blackwolf Run, as well as Whistling Straits. The installation includes Unearthed Head of Melpomene, Bronze Eroded Venus di Milo, Pokémon and Trainer, Amalgamized Head of Hermes of Olympia, Bronze Eroded Leica Camera, and Bronze Eroded Porsche 911.
“There is a kind of artistic, architectural, even sculptural proposition that’s inherent in the game of golf, where you end up playing against the creator of the course itself,” explains Arsham. “We created an atmosphere where unexpected wonders emerge out of the blue, offering moments of surprise, and beckoning guests and the community to explore our world from a new perspective.”
Evoking the bucolic landscape at Destination Kohler, the joint effort also includes Arsham’s new biomorphic Landshapes collection for the brand. The sculptural line translates the artist’s notable water droplets, chiseled forms, and amorphous shapes into artful accents for the bath. Inspired by his travels throughout Japan as well as motifs from chinoiserie, Arsham envisioned a hand-carved freestanding tub and shapely vanities, while a new vessel sink takes cues from his earlier Rock.01 design.
Other elements that nod to Arsham’s oeuvre include teardrop-shaped glass fittings, as well as mirrors, pendants, sconces, and tiles that appear in sinuous shapes and are crafted from up-cycled materials.
Guests can get an up-close-and-personal view of the new bath collection inside the Arsham Cabin, a private two-bedroom retreat facing Lake Michigan. Joining Destination Kohler’s other accommodations, this new sanctuary is tucked into a scenic bluff and boasts the full array of Landshapes pieces as well as a selection of the artist’s favorite design items. Here, visitors can discover sculptural works by Arsham, many situated in the adjacent Zen garden, while an indoor fireplace, spacious porch, and outdoor seating area offer a multitude of welcoming areas perfect for relaxation and inspiration.
Throw on some of the new apparel items from Malbon—which feature colors and designs emblematic of both Kohler and Arsham—and you have an idyllic weekend getaway.
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