Reebok has today revealed the latest colorway for its Pump Omni Zone II heritage basketball shoe, “Rec Center” ($170, HR0504), available beginning March 17.
Made famous in the early ‘90s by Boston guard, rookie dunk champ, and longtime brand athlete Dee Brown, Reebok’s Pump Omni Zone II sneaker – featuring first-of-its-kind custom-fit “Pump” technology – launched an industry-wide innovation race that forever changed the trajectory of sneaker history.
On its growing arc of retros and new colorways, Pump Omni Zone II “Rec Center” has next, utilizing color and material application to nod local recreation centers where youth often find their love for sport and community.
The shoe’s multi-color upper is dressed in suede with a leather heel cap and TPU overlay – each element speaking to the various textures, equipment, and colors often on display in local rec centers – while a lift of the Pump bladder tongue reveals inside the shoe a unique gym-floor graphic sock liner.
Reebok’s Pump Omni Zone II “Rec Center” ($170, HR0504) is available beginning March 17 from Reebok.com, Journeys, Hibbett, and other select retailers. An adjacent Question Low “Rec Center” colorway will also be available from select retailers.
The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover P530 First Edition is a clear definition of a successful product and one of the most stunning vehicles on the market, attracting the attention of car enthusiasts as well as the general public. This new British SUV model showcases non-hybrid and new hybrid engines with adopted rear-wheel steering and new accommodative seven-occupant seating. The P530 provides a range of customizations for customers including notable options between short and long wheelbases, luxury and comfortable amenities, and a split rear tailgate.
Design
The first edition of this enhanced Rover was designed for both a breathtaking melding of function and design that reconstructs the previous models. Lead designer, Gerry McGovern, and his team reimagined an icon. Gerry and the team indeed successfully crafted a remarkable fifth-generation Range Rover P530 and arrived at classic sleek, pared-down elegance. Imagine 23-inch veers uniquely filling the arcs and “the hidden” vertical rear light. Check out the vertical taillights that appear when illuminated that indeed make a difference for the rear. The switchgear is more upscale, sleeker, and softer than previous models. For the first time, the first edition Range Rover has an additional third-row feature that expands the previous linear design, making the interior a show stunner.
Most importantly, short and long-wheel-based designs have a choice of four, five, or seven-seat interiors. The P530 comes with an engine capacity of 4.4 liters with a V8 Twin –Turbo petrol design, automatic transmission of eight-speed, drivetrain equipped with intelligent all-wheel intelligent driveline dynamics, a classic exterior color sunset gold satin, interior trim fitted with perlino semi-aniline leather, and Pirelli-285/40 R23 A/S tires. The new model is also equipped with an electrified powertrain that provides PHEV that conjoins the advanced Ingenium petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor, empowering the car to function as a full petrol engine or electric vehicle when necessary. Engine includes an intercooler and twin-turbocharged DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection engine with a displacement of 268 in3, 4395 cm3, power of 523 hp @ 6000 rpm and Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm.
Technology
This First Edition tech advancements include the finest materials to craft a conducive haven for all passengers, making each journey a memorable and wonderful experience. Talk about the works – a steering wheel modernized with electric power-assisted steering, rack, and pinion all-wheel steering, a 13.1-inch Pivi pro touchscreen designed as an instructions center platform, hard buttons for HVAC, and rotary controllers. Driven modes and off-road functions like crawl control, hill descent, and low range provide flexibility for any driving occasion. Additionally, the SUV has Android Auto and wireless Apple Car play, Meridian sound, improved seats, and Alexa voice control. Meridian sound comes with the third-generation dynamic noise dissolution system, which displays engine sounds transmitted to the cabin, tire noise, and wheel vibration for a full sensory trip. The engine sound transmitter generates a canceling signal and includes a duo of 60 mm breadth speakers fixed on the head support of the four main passengers’ seats for a beautifully personalized ride. The new model standard wheelbase is equipped with front and rear suspension. The front suspension has a double wishbone with a virtual swivel axis and split a lower arm, electronic air suspension. To contrast, the rear suspension has five-link axles, electronic air, and suspension.
Performance
The 2022 P530 was crafted with peerless refinement and effortless performance. It has an inclusive line-up of unconventional 6 and 8-container drivelines, either an advanced chargeable turbo of 4.4L “hot-vee” V8 thrusting out 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft or mild-hybrid chargeable turbo of 3.0L straight-six making 406 lb-ft of torque and 395 ponies. There’s even a straight 6-cylinder with an advanced 48v mild hybrid Ingenium petrol and diesel engine with a 39.2kWh battery operated containing lithium-ion, which has a 105 kW electric motor integrated with transmission and a usable capacity of 31.8kWh. The recent model’s performance on the road is smooth and delivers seamless wafting, which separates it from the previous models. To top it off, it can blend serene road trip rides with enhanced body control. On the pavement, the P530 will hover over broken pavements, melting large suspension movements and neutralizing small ones to shake down the needle of the chassis briefly. It provides electrified performance with a comprehensive line-up of advanced powertrains that brings new levels of capability to Land Rover‘s flagship SUV and efficiency compared to past fleets.
Bolster an electrified performance with two new Extended-Range plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains providing up to 113km/70 miles of EV range and extraordinary efficiency. The vehicle has two main charging options: a DC rapid charger, which provides an efficiency of 0-80 % in under an hour, and an AC home charger which provides an efficiency of 0-100% in five hours. Notably, the extended Range PHEV uses three driving modes: save mode, EV mode, and hybrid mode. Save mode preserves the battery level to be used later while hybrid mode optimizes energy efficiency between petrol and electric power.
Additional features
Advanced rear-wheel steering has improved tighter turning stability above 50km/h which can reduce its turning circle. Touch control makes shifting from the second-row seat to the third-row seat easy; all you have to do is tap the touch control to activate the rear sliding and tipping forward function. Generally, there’s advanced, responsible and sustainable interior options. The interior offers customers a more comprehensive range of finishes and materials, such as innovative tactile Ultra fabrics and textiles. The new model SWB and LWB have new auto-folding load space covers behind the first, second, and third rows with a sheathable design that moves back when the upper tailgate is unlocked. The load space provides a more spacious load area for the convenience of the customers.
To add, it comes with unique technical specifications of HF 523, a torque lb-ft 553, top speed of 155 mph. The P530 is available in a Sunset Gold Satin finish and offers various exterior colors. Other features entail a tailgate events suite with leather cushions, wireless device charging with a phone signal booster, blind spot assist, traffic sign recognition, and an adaptive speed limiter.
Target Audience/ Pricing
In short, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover P530 First Edition is a perfect match for someone who is looking for luxurious amenities and willing to incur extra 100,000 dollars for a unique Range Rover experience. Due to its improved occupant capacity, the automobile caters to individuals with large families looking for spacious load space areas and additional seating.
The Range Rover P530 First Edition is your option if you want something more exclusive and pricey. The model’s price depends on customers’ preference; a standard wheelbase will cost you approximately $263,700 – $333,410.
Check out The 2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition Here
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
2022 Range Rover P530 First Edition activation in meatpacking district via 360 MAGAZINE.
Lectra announces the acquisition of the majority of the capital of TextileGenesis
Lectra extends its software offer to material traceability and reinforces its position in Industry 4.0
Lectra announces the signature of an agreement to acquire 51% of the capital and voting rights of the Dutch company TextileGenesis. As a major player in the fashion, automotive, and furniture markets, Lectra contributes with boldness and passion to the Industry 4.0 revolution by providing software, equipment, data, and services to brands, manufacturers, and retailers.
Founded in 2018, TextileGenesis provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that enables fashion brands and sustainable textile manufacturers to ensure a reliable, secure and fully digital mapping of their textiles, from the fiber to the consumer, and thereby guarantee their authenticity and origins. This solution ensures the traceability of TextileGenesis’ customers’ entire sustainable textile supply chain in order to meet the demands for transparency, driven by changes in legislation in a growing number of countries and by growing consumer awareness, thereby encouraging sustainable development.
Its innovative traceability mechanism, which addresses both ends of the textile value chain, as well as its network of partners for material certification, and its technology platform guarantee the exchange and tracking of reliable and secure data throughout a material’s life cycle.
Several of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands as well as leading sustainable fiber producers are already convinced of the value of TextileGenesis’ innovative offer, which enables the connection of multiple actors of the sustainable fashion ecosystem on this platform.
“Fashion is one of the most fragmented industries due to its long and complex value chain, which makes it opaque to brands, suppliers, subcontractors, and consumers” says Amit Gautam, founder of TextileGenesis. “Today, only 19% of fashion industry actors have visibility of their value chain, and this visibility is often partial. Many brands, especially those that have set ambitious sustainability goals, face a real challenge in terms of supply chain transparency. If they cannot track the life cycle of certified materials, they will not be able to justify the sustainability of their products,” he adds.
“Having the highest ethical standards, guaranteeing the well-being of our employees, and preserving the environment are embedded in Lectra’s DNA and guide our daily decisions. Through our technology, acquisitions, and partnerships, we aim to empower our customers to work in a more socially and environmentally responsible way,” says Daniel Harari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lectra. “We look forward to joining forces with TextileGenesis’ talented teams to accelerate the development of their sustainable material traceability solution and deepen our knowledge of the textile value chain in the fashion industry,” he concludes.
At the beginning of January, Lectra will acquire 51% of TextileGenesis for 15.2 million euros. The acquisition of the remaining share capital and voting rights is expected to take place in two stages, in 2026 and 2028, for an amount that will be calculated based on a multiple of the 2025 and 2027 recurring revenues.
About Lectra:
As a major player in the fashion, automotive and furniture markets, Lectra contributes to the Industry 4.0 revolution with boldness and passion by providing best-in-class technologies.
The Group offers industrial intelligence solutions – software, equipment, data and services – that facilitate the digital transformation of the companies it serves. In doing so, Lectra helps its customers push boundaries and unlock their potential. The Group is proud to state that its 2,500 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators.
Founded in 1973, Lectra reported revenues of 388 million euros in 2021 and is listed on Euronext Paris (LSS), Lectra has set a revenue target of between 514 and 534 million euros for 2022.
Las Catalinas Announces Completion of Beach Town NeighborhoodCar-free seaside town in Costa Rica continues to innovate a better way of living
In 2006, the innovators behind a car-free town aspired to create a better way of life connecting people to nature in a place where 1,000 acres of a 1200-acre property would remain undeveloped as a tropical dry forest reserve. After 16 years of planning and construction, that vision is now a reality with the completion of the neighborhood of Beach Town in Las Catalinas. Referred to as one of the most important and beautiful new towns in the world by renowned Notre Dame School of Architecture Professor Douglas Duany, Las Catalinas is located in the northwestern province of Costa Rica. Inspired by New Urbanism, the town offers a sustainable lifestyle that is influenced by the natural surroundings. Throughout its development, the town’s commitment to nature remains as one of its main core values.
Consisting of approximately 150 single family residences, 14 mixed use buildings, and over a dozen commercial and civic buildings across 21 acres of land along the Pacific Coast, Beach Town is a high-density, car-free town. With friendly neighborhoods, walkable streets and plazas, and timeless architecture, Beach Town was conceptualized to combine leisure and urban living with an emphasis on the natural surroundings. Beach Town is connected to two Pacific Ocean beaches and over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails in thriving tropical dry forests reserves. With a rich network of narrow passageways, stair streets and public plazas, the town weaves together 150 residences, two hotels, a beach club, eight restaurants and a variety of shops, offices and businesses centered on living well. In 2022, The Congress for New Urbanism celebrated Beach Town with a Charter Award recognizing the town for achieving “more equitable, sustainable, connected, healthy, and prosperous communities.” Most activities, conversations and meals are enjoyed in the fresh air under shade trees or on the outdoor covered terraces within the timeless tropical architecture. The value placed on walkability and relationship to nature creates an engaging place to visit.
“While the radical idea to build a car-free town received pushback even from the initial design team, our walkable town now seems the most natural and preferred way to be,” said Roberto Villalobos, Sub-Director of Design and Construction for Las Catalinas. “Car-free public realms invite natural sociability and freedom for children that can be enjoyed equally by all. The resulting density allows for more balanced natural-urban transects. Beach Town’s minimal footprint creates a sustainable infrastructure not just for the natural environment, but also for an active and healthy lifestyle full of organic, human, and architectural beauty.”
Beach Town has come to life over the years and offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of retail businesses embracing a way of life that supports the natural fabric of town. Beach Town Travel can arrange stays at the two hotels in town – Santarena Hotel and Posada San Rafael or with an array of villa options from flats to five-bedroom villas. The eight food and beverage venues located in Beach Town include Ponciana, Pots & Bowls, Pascual, Papagayo BrewHouse, La Taqueria at Beach Club, The Deli at Copper & Stone Gourmet, Cuatro Calle La Ronda and Coquelicot. The town’s boutique shops and stores include Las Catalinas Collection, Chunches Consignment, D’Aqui Design and Copper & Stone Gourmet Market. Beach Town also offers CORE by Chakfitness, Center of Joy, Pura Vida Ride, Wake Day Spa, ConnectOcean, BLP and Elif Academy for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Walk through Beach Town with founder Charles Brewer and the Town Architect team to learn about the challenges, successes and missteps made in planning and developing Beach Town in microphases. “Lessons will be applied as our eyes aim to the ambitious development of the remaining 180 acres of Las Catalinas all surrounded by our 1,000-acre natural tropical dry forest preserve,” Villalobos further explained. “The next neighborhood underway includes El Prado where residences, mixed use buildings, parks, and neighborhoods have started vertical construction for an ambitious 600 buildings across 60 acres – most of which get panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and are surrounded by 40 kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails.”
Located just east of Beach Town in El Prado, Lantana Residences is a collection of ocean view homes and flats built into the hillside. Set to begin construction in the second quarter of 2023, Lantana Residences are located in the second neighborhood in Las Catalinas on the hillside of El Prado. The residences flank a picturesque stair street and offer the most dramatic urban and ocean views in Las Catalinas. The residences are slated for completion in July 2025. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, Lantana Residences offer dramatic views, plentiful outdoor spaces, crafted interior finishes with spectacular architecture. Slanted rooftops, thick walls, high ceilings, clever ventilation, and other structural considerations provide respite from the outdoor elements in the Guanacaste tropical dry forest. Indoor and outdoor living spaces, pools, and outdoor terraces embrace the climate and allow for comfortable indoor and outdoor living. Wood and other materials used are from sustainable sources and all buildings are designed to be energy efficient.
The crowning jewel of the Lantana neighborhood is its stair-street architecture modeling pedestrian Mediterranean hill towns of the Old World. Not only are stair streets visually stunning, but they link people, places, and conversations together, providing an intricate tapestry that weaves lives together. Utilizing its intense sloping topography, Arosemena & Way Arquitectos designed the stair streets of Lantana to create a way for visitors and residents to explore the neighborhood from the shops, plazas, parks, and streets of lower levels of El Prado to the higher vistas, residences, and trail heads of the upper neighborhoods of El Prado. Highly visible from nearly all areas of town while offering a panoramic ocean and town view, the stair streets of Lantana enhance the pedestrian experience which is the cornerstone of Las Catalinas in encouraging interaction and engagement among residents and visitors. The Lantana neighborhood will feature nine buildings and an intricate array of plazas, parks, and community pool. Residences offer a variety of floorplans ranging from 484 square feet to 3,843 square feet. For more information, email sales@lascatalinascr.com or 1-866-357-3872 or visit www.lantanaresidences.com.
The conscious town of Las Catalinas is Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town inspired by New Urbanist philosophy. The car-free, highly walkable town includes several inns and intimate hotels, shops, restaurants, retail, day spas, pedestrian streets, parks, plazas, and recreational facilities, all located between two of Costa Rica’s loveliest Pacific beaches and 1,000 acres of protected tropical dry forest, which are interlaced with extensive hiking and biking trails. Within the town, the walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, and the architecture emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and scenic views. Cars are refreshingly absent. Founder Charles Brewer’s core values and beliefs include environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature, promotion of wellness, and an emphatic preference for quality of life over quantity of material possessions, understanding that the “good life” is not about material possessions but about human connections, good health, and ecological sustainability.
The Capabilities of Using Drones in a Food Industry Supply Chain
Are Drones the Solution to the Restaurant World’s Delivery Problem?
When the COVID-19 pandemic trapped diners at home, many restaurants survived by ramping up their delivery services. Delivery providers like DoorDash and Uber Eats allowed restaurants to continue serving their clients even when their dining rooms were closed. What few restaurants expected, however, was that the increased volume of food delivery would be a trend that continued beyond Covid.
Recent stats show that the spike in food delivery that started during the pandemic has not gone away. Diners have apparently decided that they like the convenience of having restaurant meals delivered to their homes or offices. For restaurants, however, the trend is not so convenient, primarily because delivery is expensive.
According to research from McKinsey, the average service commission that restaurants are paying to delivery services is between 15-20%. During the pandemic, those fees were seen as the cost of survival. Post-pandemic, paying those fees — or passing them on to their customers — is something most restaurants do not consider to be sustainable.
Some restaurants looking for a better way to serve their delivery customers are looking to drones as a solution. Drones, sometimes referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are being used in a wide variety of applications, from job-site surveillance to search-and-rescue to inventory inspection. For restaurants, drones promise a more scalable, affordable, and sustainable solution to the growing demand for food delivery.
The basics of drone delivery
The benefits that drones promise to the world of delivery are easy to appreciate, starting with how readily they can scale when demand for delivery increases. In a traditional model, more delivery volume means more drivers. By leveraging GPS, AI, and machine learning, drones can fly automated flight paths. In essence, one drone “driver” can manage multiple delivery vehicles. With the most advanced software systems, the destination provided in the food order is the only “driver” needed to get the customer his or her food.
The financial implications of driverless delivery are huge for the food service industry. Drone delivery does away with fees paid to traditional delivery drivers, as well as expenses related to driver recruiting, driver management, and vehicle insurance. Overall, drone delivery presents a much more sustainable model when it comes to the financial investment.
Drones also allow for quicker delivery times. With few exceptions, drones can take a direct path from a delivery’s source to its destination — they are not delayed by stop lights or traffic jams. In the food industry, where the quality of hot dishes decreases with each passing minute, the accelerated delivery times that drones empower is a major benefit.
Gasoline costs, which are a major variable that traditional delivery models must take into account, are not an issue with drones since the vast majority of drones are powered by rechargeable batteries. Once the initial investment is made, drones continue to deliver with minimal investment.
Challenges that must be overcome
Meeting regulatory requirements has been a challenge to drone development from its early days. To take flight, drones must comply with the requirements put forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means meeting safety guidelines as well as charting flight paths that avoid no-fly zones.
Rules recently issued by the FAA make it easier for businesses to use drones for deliveries. The rules, which were issued in January 2021, expand drone capabilities by allowing for routine operations of drones over people and at night. Previously, such use required a FAA waiver. Upon announcing the new rules, the FAA said that they serve as one of a number of regulatory steps that will allow for growth in the use of drone technology.
Restaurants can avoid taking on the burdens associated with FAA requirements by working with companies that provide what has come to be known as Drone as a Service (DaaS). Such companies engineer drone systems that facilitate the required delivery service while ensuring that all mandatory regulatory requirements are met. Utilizing DaaS allows restaurants a high degree of flexibility and scalability without requiring them to develop any expertise in drone technology or make an investment in equipment.
Models for drone food delivery
Using drones as a means to get food orders from restaurants directly to customers is a model that has already proven to be effective. The town of Oranmore in Ireland, for instance, made headlines in 2021 when local cafes began using drone delivery to facilitate coffee deliveries. The drones, which were launched from a centrally located rooftop, lowered orders to their destinations on a cable while hovering at a height of 80 feet. The system facilitated deliveries within two minutes.
In the US, drones are being used by restaurants in a number of cities. In Holly Springs, North Caroline, for example, drone delivery is in use by nearly two dozen restaurants. The drones being used travel at 33 miles an hour, empowering deliveries in less than 5 minutes.
Another potential model for using drones as delivery vehicles involves facilitating the movement of orders from restaurants to an intermediary location where they can be picked up by last-mile delivery drivers. This model could prove to be effective for delivering to multi-family dwellings where those who place orders do not have an available landing zone. Drones could deposit orders to a rooftop staging area or other location where onsite delivery personnel could pick them up and manage the final phase of the trip.
Another model that restaurants have explored involves using drones as wait staff within the restaurant. Similar to how drones can be used to move inventory within warehouses, this model utilizes drones to cut down on the need for human resources. It has the potential to deliver meals from the kitchen to servers in the dining room, or to deliver meals directly to diners at their table, and has already been tested delivering food orders to attendees at sporting events.
The growth of demand for delivery options is something that restaurants that want to remain competitive cannot ignore. At the same time, a better model for addressing the added expenses of delivery must be identified.
Drones technology addresses both issues, empowering a more efficient delivery system that is also more cost effective. In 2023 and beyond, drone delivery promises to become a top competitive advantage in the restaurant field.
Article by: Dr. Shawun Passley, Ph.D.
Shaun Passley
Dr. Shaun Passley holds numerous masters degrees from DePaul University, Benedictine University, and Northwestern University, and has a PhD in Business Administration. In addition to founding ZenaTech, he is also Chairman & CEO of Epazz, Inc. — an enterprise-wide cloud software company — and the manufacturing company Ameritek Ventures. Shaun’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit enable him to identify key market opportunities and successfully launch new ventures. He is responsible for EPAZZ, Inc.’s software and product development which includes the design, research, and development of ZenaDrone and future products and services. ZenaDrone is an entirely bootstrapped venture that is aiming to help the agri sector in Ireland close its emerging labor gap through automation.
A Canadian technology solution provider that specializes in drone development, tracking solutions, augmented reality, and more. Founded in 2018, the company’s initial products were aimed at marijuana and hemp-related businesses that included tracking plants from seed to sale and processing payments. The capabilities of drone technology in tracking plant progress in any field resulted in an ambitious expansion plan for ZenaDrone. Zenadrone is designed for industrial drone monitoring uses in construction, agriculture, surveillance, search and environmental inspection. Further, the drone has customizable functionalities, attachments, and features that enable Zenadrone to provide customers with a mechanism that streamlines the inspection and monitoring processes, saving field technicians from hazardous work, reducing workforce and operational costs, automating and performing tasks efficiently, and completing tasks that may be difficult or impossible for humans to do.
ZEITZ MOCAA ANNOUNCES FULL ARTIST LINE-UP FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EXHIBITION
WHEN WE SEE US: A CENTURY OF BLACK FIGURATION IN PAINTING
The survey exhibition features nearly 200 artworks from 154 artists
The exhibition, supported by Gucci, opens on 20 November 2022
This weekend, Zeitz MOCAA will be a flurry of activity as it not only presents its fundraising Gala, sponsored by Gucci, but also unveils a new survey exhibition that has been years in the making. Titled When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, the exhibition places a focus on painting, specifically works produced from the 1920s to the present.
“Over the last decade, figurative painting by Black artists has risen to a new prominence in contemporary art,” says Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Zeitz MOCAA. “There is no better time for an exhibition of this nature, one that connects these practices and reveals the deeper historic contexts and networks of complex and underrepresented artistic genealogies that stem from African and Black modernities; an exhibition that demonstrates how multiple generations of such artists have revelled and critically engaged in projecting various notions of Blackness and Africanity.”
When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting comprises an exhibition, publication and discursive programming that explores Black self-representation and celebrates global Black subjectivities and Black consciousness from pan-African and pan-diasporic perspectives. It boldly brings together artworks from the last 100 years, by Black artists working globally, into dialogue with leading Black thinkers, writers and poets who are active today.
The exhibition furthermore celebrates how artists from Africa and its diaspora have imagined, positioned, memorialised and asserted African and African-descent experiences. It contributes to critical discourse on African and Black liberation, intellectual and philosophical movements. The title of the exhibition is inspired by Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, a 2019 miniseries. Flipping ‘they’ to ‘we’ allows for a dialectical shift that centres the conversation in a differential perspective of self-writing as theorised by Professor Achille Mbembe.
The exhibition, designed by Wolff Architects, features nearly 200 works of art by 154 artists from 28 countries, with the artworks loaned from 73 institutional and private lenders located in 26 countries. When We See Us celebrates the resilience, essence and political charge of Black joy. The exhibition is organised around six themes — The Everyday, Joy and Revelry, Repose, Sensuality, Spirituality, and Triumph and Emancipation. It is furthermore accompanied by a sonic translation, compiled by South African composer and sound artist Neo Muyanga.
Tandazani Dhlakama, the exhibition’s co-curator and Assistant Curator at Zeitz MOCAA, says: “This exhibition is a true reflection of the historic contexts of African and Black existence, with the oldest artist in the exhibition born in 1886 and the youngest in 1999. It amplifies a historical continuum of self-representation while highlighting important contributions towards a previously understated canon. Most importantly, it explores a broad range of artistic lineages, art schools and movements — and brings together a myriad of artists and their practice in dialogue for the first time (see full list of artists below).”
Published to coincide with the exhibition is a hardcover poetic catalogue by Thames and Hudson, in collaboration with Zeitz MOCAA, and edited by Koyo Kouoh. Richly illustrated with all the works selected for the exhibition, it includes a contextual essay by Dhlakama and four specially commissioned texts by acclaimed female writers Ken Bugul (Senegal), Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia), Robin Coste Lewis (United States) and Bill Kouelany (Republic of Congo). In addition to the publication, on sale from 18 November at Zeitz MOCAA Shop and shop.zeitzmocaa.museum, the curatorial team have collaborated with the museum’s retail partner on a limited range of exhibition-related items, including T-shirts, tote bags and more.
Conceived in collaboration with the Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), a parallel discursive programme provides theoretical framings of the project and is presented as a year-long, multi-vocal webinar series. The series brings together thought leaders from the continent and its thriving diaspora to address topics around global Black subjectivity and Black representation from the premise of artistic production and into the topical considerations relevant today.
Coordinated by Zeitz MOCAA Assistant Curator Thato Mogotsi, previous discussion topics included The Poetics of Black Figuration, Defining the ‘We’ & the ‘Us’, A Century of Black Figuration as Representation of Self and Black is Beautiful: Pan-Africanism & the Afropolitan Impulse in Contemporary Art, amongst others. Previous participants have included Prof Huey Copeland, Kimberly Drew, Keyna Eleison, Thelma Golden, Dr Felwine Sarr and Athi Mongozeleli Joja. The webinars are archived on the museum’s YouTube channel, with the next one taking place on Tuesday, 29 November.
The opening of the exhibition is preceded by the 2022 Zeitz MOCAA Gala Dinner + Party, supported by Gucci, acting as a catalyst and inspiration for the Gala’s theme of Art & Opulence. The Gala is Zeitz MOCAA’s largest development event of the year and its proceeds yield approximately 30% of the museum’s annual exhibitions and education budget. The event is essential to the institution’s mission of promoting art education and community engagement, and is further supported by the V&A Waterfront, Radisson Hotel Group, the Mail & Guardian, YourLuxury Africa, Terre Paisable, Pernod Ricard and Hidden Valley Wines, with BMW South Africa as the official vehicle partner.
The exhibition and accompanying publication have been made possible through the generous support of our presenting sponsor, Gucci.
When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting will open to the public on Sunday, 20 November 2022. The Zeitz MOCAA Gala Dinner + Party, supported by Gucci and themed Art + Opulence, takes place on Saturday, 19 November 2022. For more information on the Gala and to purchase tickets, visit zeitzmocaa.museum or click here.
Zeitz MOCAA’s curatorial and exhibition programming is proudly supported by Gucci. All proceeds from the annual fundraising event go towards supporting curatorial research and education programming at Zeitz MOCAA.
Please find further media materials for When We See Ushere and here.
About Zeitz MOCAA
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public not-for-profit institution that collects, preserves, researches and exhibits contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and strives towards access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating temporary exhibitions with a dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for the Moving Image and The Atelier, a museum residency programme for artists living and working in Cape Town.
Zeitz MOCAA is situated at the Silo District, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. zeitzmocaa.museum
About Gucci
Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury brands, led by President and CEO Marco Bizzarri and Creative Director Alessandro Michele. Following the House’s centenary, Gucci forges ahead into the next hundred years, continuing to redefine luxury while celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation at the core of its values.
Gucci is part of the global luxury group, Kering, which manages the development of a series of renowned Houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry and watches.
MUSE, ROLLS-ROYCE ARTS PROGRAMME UNVEILS WINNING ARTWORKS INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF ECSTASY
· Muse, the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, unveils artworks created by winners of the inaugural Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge – a biennial initiative celebrating the symbol of Rolls‑Royce
· Three winners, selected by an expert jury, have created textile artworks inspired by Rolls-Royce and the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine
· Works by Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang are on show in an exhibition at Cromwell Place, London from 5 – 8 October 2022, before proceeding on a global tour
“The Spirit of Ecstasy continues to be our muse for the ongoing pursuit of excellence. She embodies what we as the House of Rolls-Royce stand for: strive for perfection, attention to detail and timeless beauty. It is fascinating to see our icon being transformed into these three very unique expressions, pushing technical and conceptual boundaries. I would like to thank Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang for their extraordinary masterpieces celebrating a different dimension of our iconic figurine, manifesting the exciting future of textile design.”
Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Muse,the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme celebrates the global debut of the artworks created by the winners of the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge. These three unique pieces are being exhibited at Cromwell Place, London, from 5 – 8 October 2022, before embarking on an international tour.
The Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge is a new biennial initiative that invites emerging artists from a range of disciplines to create artworks inspired the Rolls-Royce icon – the beautiful figurine that has adorned the bonnet of every motor car created by the marque since 1911. Each edition of the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge will focus on a different medium, challenging participants to push technical and conceptual boundaries. The inaugural 2022 edition explores the potential of textiles, inviting artists to create textile-based artwork.
The winners – Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang – developed three unique interpretations of the Rolls-Royce symbol. As part of the creative process, the artists met Rolls-Royce’s master craftspeople to exchange experiences before bringing their ideas and innovative creations to life.
Stitched Urban Skin (2022) is inspired by the multi-layered landscape of cities and their mesmerising reflections on the glossy surface of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Old and new are woven together: the artwork consists of three suspended layers of two-dimensional sheets made from specially treated metal, an animated LED light sheet and a Perspex sheet incorporating a material created using a traditional Chinese crochet technique. The use of metal in the work is inspired by the Rolls-Royce car surface and pays homage to the exceptional craftsmanship at The Home of Rolls-Royce. The piece draws on Bi’s encyclopaedic archive of urban imagery, utilising both ancient craftsmanship and innovative technologies, interlacing different locations and histories.
“This piece wasn’t inspired by a singular thing, it’s a blend of patterns connected to cities and nature – the way they grow is very similar. People see only what’s on the surface – the architecture and the trees – but underneath are hidden interwinding roots”, said Bi. She continued: “The Rolls-Royce team gave me full artistic freedom, encouraging me to try new things and be truly brave. I experimented and changed the whole piece many times, which eventually made it even more captivating. This experience has presented me with new possibilities and opened up a different perspective which I will bring into my future work”.
Bi Rongrong “Stitched Urban Skin” via 360 MAGAZINE
Resembling two triumphant wings about to take flight, Sahli’s artwork Nissa’s Rina(Woman’s Song) (2022) is a joyous celebration of femininity and freedom. The artwork explores the beauty of metamorphose and is composed almost entirely of salvaged materials: plastic bottles, plastic tubes, caps, covered with white silk and gold thread purchased from the artisans in Marrakech’s Medina and copper embellished with gold leaf. For Nissa’s Rina(Woman’s Song), Sahli adopts her signature technique of wrapping cut bottles in thread, the “Alveoli”, and building up each element into wing-like structures evocative of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
“The Spirit of Ecstasy – that elegant, free woman who crowns the most prestigious car in the world. A symbol of power, she opens her wings to take flight, and rules the world. What a synchronicity for me! She embodies everything that I would like to express in my life today”, – said Sahli. “Nissa’s Rina, Woman’s song, aims to express the elegance, the femininity, and the freedom of the Spirit of Ecstasy”.
Scarlett Yang’s Transient Materiality (2022)is ahybrid work that consists of a physical and digital piece. The 1-metre-high sculpture is made of intertwining ribbons of synthetic biopolymer produced with liquid particles collected from the ocean and bound with algae photosynthetic organisms. The sculpture’s form, surface and colour all reflect the natural world: its unique texture was inspired the subtle intricacy of animal skin patterns and the structural resilience of translucent dragonfly wings. Made by pouring the liquid bio-polymer into a 3D-fabricated mould, while the ribbons’ green and purple hues were created through experiments with spirulina and other natural components.
Suspended in the air, the piece mesmerizes with its shimmering, iridescent qualities – an ethereal expression of elegance, reminiscent of the flying gown of the Spirit of Ecstasy. The accompanying digital element is a video documentation of the creative process as well as digital renderings of the sculpture, set to a futuristic soundscape.
“My work consists in exploring the physical properties that nature gracefully offers and enhancing them through a conscious and circular use of technology. The piece ‘Transient Materiality” is ultimately meant to embellish the human body whilst serving a truly positive approach for the future of design”, – commented Scarlett Yang.
Scarlett Yang “Transient Materiality” via 360 MAGAZINE
The artists, invited to create their proposals for the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge, were nominated by an international expert committee. Their submissions were reviewed by a renowned jury consisting of Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Yoon Ahn, Creative Director of AMBUSH and Director of Jewellery at Dior Men; Tim Marlow, Chief Executive and Director at the Design Museum, London; and Sumayya Vally, Founder and Principal at Counterspace Studio, Johannesburg. In April 2022 Muse announced the three winners who were chosen to bring their concept to life with the Rolls-Royce support.
The Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge is the second commissioning initiative of Muse. While the Dream Commission supports artists working with moving-image art, the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge celebrating the endless creativity within the world of materials and craftsmanship. Every two years, the Challenge will be repeated, each time exploring the limitless possibilities of a different medium key to Rolls-Royce craftsmanship, with the Spirit of Ecstasy serving as a point of inspiration.
Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
About Muse, the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme
Muse is the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, designed to foster and inspire creativity through collaboration with artists who share the marque’s passion for pushing technical and conceptual boundaries. Consisting of two ongoing biennial initiatives, Muse partners with some of the most respected and prestigious institutions in the world, such as Foundation Beyeler, Basel and Serpentine, London. Muse will provide selected artists with time and resource to produce art conceived, and to be experienced, without compromise.
Muse marks a new direction for the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, which has, since its inception in 2014, invited Rolls-Royce patrons into the world of contemporary art. To date, leading artists Sondra Perry, Refik Anadol, Tomas Saráceno, Asad Raza, Dan Holdsworth, Isaac Julien, Yang Fudong, and Ugo Rondinone have collaborated with the Arts Programme.
About Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems. Over 2000 skilled men and women are employed at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ head office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood, West Sussex, the only place in the world where the company’s super-luxury motor cars are hand-built.
The new vehicles offer customers accessible new alternative to mainstream mid-sized hatchback and SUV models
Paris, France:Citroën has revealed the new all-electric ë-C4X and the new C4X through live streamed events running simultaneously in Turkey and Denmark. The vehicles feature a unique design approach for customers seeking affordable alternatives to hatchback and SUV offerings in the mid-sized market.
Following in the footsteps of the Citroën C5 X, the design of the new ë-C4X and C4X challenges the traditional definitions of compact car body styles to offer customers something unique: a cross-segment design which combines the elegant silhouette of a fastback with the modern attitude of an SUV.
“We’re excited about the opportunity presented by the New ë-C4X and C4X models as they will contribute significantly to our brand presence and sales expansion objectives for Middle East and Africa and international markets, as well as Europe. Many customers have told us they want an affordable, responsible and elegant alternative to the mass of hatchback and SUV offerings in the volume compact car segment, and this is our best interpretation of that need – a forward-looking, distinctive cross design that delivers all the comfort, technology, safety and value you expect from Citroën, but also outstanding roominess and limousine versatility with the benefit of zero-emission, all-electric power”.
The New all-electric ë-C4X and C4X models also benefit from Citroën’s new generation infotainment interface, MyCitroën Drive Plus,providing a comprehensive package for connected services.
Notably, Citroën is taking the bold step of offering only the all-electric ë-C4X model in many of its European markets where sales of electrified vehicles are increasing. With its 100 kW powertrain and 359 km WLTP range the new ë-C4X will be the only all-electric car to offer this combination of design, comfort and saloon car spaciousness in the mainstream mid-sized market. This, combined with its roomy 510-litre boot volume, makes it the ideal companion for everyday use in cities.
Customers who may prefer a traditional powertrain in International markets as well as selected European countries will have a choice of Citroën’s proven and efficient PureTech turbo-charged, direct-injection petrol engines.
The new ë-C4X and C4X models will be built exclusively in Europe for all markets at the Stellantis Villaverde manufacturing facility in Madrid, Spain, with sales commencing later in 2022.
About Citroën
Since 1919, Citroën has been creating automobiles, technologies and mobility solutions to respond to changes in society. A brand of boldness and innovation, Citroën places peace of mind and well-being at the heart of its customer experience and offers a wide range of models, from the distinctive Ami, an electric mobility object designed for the city, to saloons, SUVs and commercial vehicles, most of which are available in electric or rechargeable hybrid versions. A pioneer brand in the services and attention paid to its private and professional customers, Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service throughout the world.For more information about MediaCitroën, visit HERE.
Toyota Connected North America (TCNA), an independent software and innovation center of excellence, today introduced its Cabin Awareness concept technology that uses millimeter-wave, high-resolution 4D imaging radar to help detect occupants (including certain pets) in cars and has the potential to detect them if ever they’re left behind.
The Cabin Awareness concept takes a unique approach to in-vehicle occupant detection using a 4D imaging radar sensor, mounted out of sight above a vehicle’s headliner that can detect presence of a life form in the vehicle, even after a driver exits.
Specifically, the Cabin Awareness concept has the capability to sense micro movements, such as a heartbeat, motion and respiration of occupants across three full seating rows, the cargo area and footwells. It also classifies all occupants according to size, posture and position – supporting advanced safety applications. The platform provides robust sensing even if the occupant is covered with a blanket, a scenario which a passerby would be unable to see the occupant. It differs from other technologies on the market such as weight sensors, that can be prone to false alerts and mis-detects, cameras limited by blind spots or other radar systems with a limited range of passenger detection.
“Toyota Connected’s talented software engineers and data scientists are leveraging cutting-edge technology to bring innovation and advanced technologies to customers’ vehicles,” said Zack Hicks, CEO and president, TCNA and executive vice president and chief digital officer, TMNA. “We are extremely proud of our efforts to take this idea from the drawing board to a full-blown concept, and, hopefully, developing a technology that has the potential to save lives.”
Real-World Testing
While Cabin Awareness is currently a concept, the feature is getting a real-world trial through Toyota’s partner May Mobility. The autonomous-vehicle company is testing the technology in its fleet of Toyota Sienna AutonoMaaS (Autonomous Mobility as a Service) minivans at its headquarters in Michigan and will soon begin testing in public AV deployments in Arlington, Texas, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, with additional deployments coming in late 2022. Recently, May Mobility announced that a portion of the fleet will be modified to become ADA-compliant and accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.
“May Mobility was founded with a mission of making roads safer through autonomous technology – and we’ve kept safety as our top priority as we’ve advanced our technology and worked with key strategic partners like Toyota,” said Edwin Olson, CEO, May Mobility. “As we move closer to driver-out operations next year and continue to scale our global business with more public AV deployments, technology like the Cabin Awareness concept is essential for our riders.”
In the future, one possible application for autonomous shuttles is alerting parents when their children complete a ride. Conversely, a shuttle may delay driving to its next stop if it senses someone is still in the vehicle upon reaching its destination.
“The key difference with this system is the improved resolution and accuracy, full-cabin detection and scope of functionality Cabin Awareness provides,” said Simon Roberts, managing engineer, TCNA, who has spearheaded the development process. “With the precision of these sensors, we’re designing Cabin Awareness with the aim of reducing false positives and false negatives.”
Applying Technology to Alert Drivers
In 2021 in the U.S., 23 children died from heat stroke after being left in vehicles, according to the nonprofit Kids and Cars. On average, one in four children that die in a hot car obtained access to the car while it was unattended or not operational. Depending on the circumstances, the inside of a car can get up to 125° F in minutes even when outside temperature is as low as 60° F. Studies show children’s body temperatures rise three to five times faster than adults. If left in a vehicle during the summer, the inside cabin temperature can reach dangerous levels in just 10 minutes.
“We are excited to explore and leverage new technologies, connected intelligence and existing safety platforms, with the ultimate goal of reducing child fatalities in hot cars. This Cabin Awareness concept has the potential to do exactly that.” said Brian Kursar, chief technology officer, TCNA and group vice president, chief technology officer and chief data officer, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “I’m so proud of the Toyota Connected and TMNA’s Connected Technologies teams for developing this concept and believe in the talent and dedication of our engineers.”
As currently designed, the Cabin Awareness concept provides an array of warnings to help alert the driver (and potentially, passersby) to check the back of the vehicle if a living being is detected. First, a warning light signals on the instrument cluster. Then, the horn honks. Emergency lights flash. Following all the early warnings, the owner may get a notification on their phone through the Toyota app as well as text messages.
If programmed, Cabin Awareness could even send alerts through smart home devices or send text messages to designated emergency contacts assigned by the primary user. Further alert options include having Toyota’s Safety Connect® emergency assistance system contact first responders through the integrated SOS vehicle function.
The team is continuing to explore additional notification alerts such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications and the incorporation of smart infrastructure retail signage to further expand the reach of this alert.
Born from Innovation
The idea for Cabin Awareness was born in 2019 out of the inaugural Toyota Connected Hackathon, a 36-hour innovation event that challenged teams of software designers and engineers to ideate, develop and test real-world solutions. This winning idea quickly grew support following the Hackathon, allowing Roberts to assemble a team of engineers and further develop the technology.
The Cabin Awareness concept also allowed Toyota Connected to evaluate and develop hardware for the first time in addition to building innovative software systems and creating new processes. The Toyota Connected team evaluated millimeter-wave suppliers and began working with technology provider Vayyar Imaging’s in-cabin monitoring platform.
Vayyar’s high-resolution, single chip, 4D imaging radar is the only solution on the market that has the capability to monitor an entire vehicle cabin with a single sensor. The platform provides exceptionally dense point cloud imaging, enabling developers to independently develop a wide range of advanced applications and deploy them remotely using over-the-air software updates.
Inspired by Space Technology
Inspiration for the Cabin Awareness concept came from microwave radar technology created by NASA’sJet Propulsion Laboratory to support underground rescues after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in 2015. In this application, NASA engineers and rescuers were able to detect human breathing and heartbeats under more than 30 feet of rubble, helping responders know where to dig holes.
“NASA’s use of radar technology was inspiring,” said Kursar. “The idea that you can listen to heartbeats using contact-less technology opens up new possibilities to give Toyota the potential to produce a service that is beneficial to the evolution of our in-vehicle services.”
“The Cabin Awareness program is an innovation first for Toyota Connected and Toyota in so many ways,” said Roberts. “The most important goal we’re working on, though, is to build technologies that empower occupants and give them greater peace of mind.”
Following extensive renovations, three-storied boutique properties located in downtown Lenox are reopening together as part of The Lenox Collection, a newly reimagined family of inns connected by their deep historical roots in the town and elevated contextual design. As part of the reopening is Ophelia’s, a 66-seat restaurant and bar offering farm-to-table comfort food in an intimate indoor-outdoor setting, with locally sourced ingredients and a curated cocktail list. New York-based firm 388 Ventures acquired the properties in 2021 and brought on an independent hotel management company, Life House, to lead design and branding, as well as oversee all hotel and F&B operations leveraging their tech-enabled management platform.
“We’re pleased to announce the launch of The Lenox Collection, with a design language that pays homage to each property’s history while catering directly to the clientele visiting the increasingly popular four-season destination that the Berkshires have become. With Ophelia’s reopening right downtown, we’re excited to be a mainstay in the already impressive Lenox culinary scene,” says Russell Lange, partner at 388 Ventures.
At the heart of the collection is the Whitlock – formally The Church Street Inn – built-in 1771 by John Whitlock, a local farmer who turned his two-room farmhouse into an inn for stagecoach travelers. The property now takes cues from its natural surroundings with a rustic and warm feel reminiscent of its farmhouse origins. The Whitlock’s bar and restaurant, Ophelia’s, pays homage to the ingredients and labors of the hotel’s namesake. With locally-inspired farm-to-table cuisine with dishes featuring herbs & garnishes from local purveyors, Ophelia’s is already becoming a favorite among locals, guests, and downtown bypassers.
Located in the historic center of town is The Constance – formally the Rookwood Inn – which was built in 1825 as The Williams Tavern. In the 1880s it was purchased by Frederick Constance Peters, a businessman from England, who turned the property into ancillary lodging for owners of Lenox’s famed Gilded Age estates. The inn has been completely reimagined with an extensive renovation to restore and enhance the elegant charm and whimsical character of the storied property with the benefit of modern guest amenities.
On the north side of town is The Dewey – formally the Birchwood Inn – which was originally built by Israel Dewey, a founding member of Lenox’s Continental Congress Committee when the town was incorporated in 1767. Over the years, the site has taken on many lives, owned by various influential figures in the Berkshires. Today, the newly-reappointed inn carries on its rich tradition of hospitality with elevated guest room interiors and stately common areas.
“We are thrilled to reintroduce The Lenox Collection as the Berkshire hospitality landscape continues to mature,” says Bryan Dunn, Managing Director and Head of Growth at Life House. “In the past year alone, the market has seen luxury lifestyle brand Miraval open their first East Coast property, world-renowned designer Ken Fulk acquire the Blantyre, and Life House breathes new life into the Wheatleigh, a Leading Hotels of World property. The Lenox Collection delivers a locally-rooted boutique experience at a more accessible price point than these Five Star luxury hotels, catering to a large and diverse audience that is currently underserved by existing options in the market.”
Life House is a vertically integrated hotel software & operations platform focused on increasing profitability and reliability for independent hoteliers. Life House was founded in 2017 as one of the only vertically integrated asset-light hotel companies backed by institutional venture and private equity investors. The company is ambitiously investing in operational systems to make it far more profitable, predictable, and seamless for owners while making the guest experience more reliable for travelers. Today the company has nearly 60 hotels in its portfolio across North America.
