THE Balearic stand at the next World Travel Market in London is going to have something different in the background - a selection of old suitcases, painted by 22 artists from the Islands, 15 from Majorca, 4 from Ibiza and 3 Minorcans.
Xisco Barcelo from the cultural company Innat which is promoting the project, said yesterday The art exhibition comes in two parts - the catalogue of works which will be on show at the World Travel Market and the display itself which will be mounted at the Whitehouse Hotel in London where a large gathering of tour operators will be meeting tourist industry organisations. Barcelo has spent several years buying old suitcases at a variety of street markets. It was reportedly not an easy task but he eventually managed to secure 22 which selected artists could decorate. There are all different kinds of cases, he said. Some are made from wood, others from canvas material, or indeed from hide and leather. The difference of each has been highlighted by the individual designs imprinted on them, added Barcelo. Each artist, he claimed has brought something peculiar of his or her own personality through the way the cases have been embellished, including in one instance through a form of sculpture. The theme running throughout the decoration of the 22 cases is the representation of the Balearics as a paradise holiday destination.