I am sure you probably already know that Aspen is a very special place to me. I have shot three photography series here over the last decade and last year I was able to concept and design a Beach Club on top of snowy Aspen Mountain at 11,212 feet.
To celebrate the second year of the ASPENX Beach Club, I recently shot a special photograph from a doorless helicopter to officially turn the club into a work of art itself. Today, I am very excited to release this unique, limited-edition image, Snow Beach, Aspen.
The inspiration for this beach club first came to me when I was visiting Aspen in 2020 - I wanted to explore the idea of having a beach club atop an incredible mountain vista in Aspen, combining my aerial beach and ski images along with my vintage styled signature shots.
I went to Miami in the fall of 2021 and walked the entire stretch of South Beach to study the execution of the many beach clubs, carefully noting how they were designed, the way they were assembled and the elements that made a beach club essentially a beach club. I began to draw up ideas for how ASPENX Beach Club could be designed from a structural standpoint, and the ways in which my art could be translated into the experience.
What I came up with was a setting that draws inspiration from decades past, celebrating the culture and tradition of ski season, aspirational luxury, and vintage glamor that Aspen has perfected, along with components of classic beach clubs that work together to create the ideal apres ski destination. Curating an entire world of Gray Malin, I designed the cabanas, chaise-lounges and chairs, and included special touches like a lifeguard tower and surfboards, as well as my Gray Malin pillows and trays adorned with my artwork, allowing a fully immersive experience where guests could literally step into one of my photographs.
Positioned on one of the most beautiful vistas atop Aspen Mountain, the APSNEX Beach Club has 360 degree sun-filled sweeping views where guests can relax and enjoy the good life. They can sit in striped cabanas, revel in the vintage-esque glamor, listen to a live DJ, play games, dance, take pictures and experience five star service with a delicious chef curated menu, and a wide variety of drinks to sip. I want everyone who visits the ASPENX Beach Club to have an unforgettable experience where they can create long lasting memories and take their own unique Gray Malin inspired pictures.
I couldn't be happier to turn this once-in-a lifetime immersive experience into a new fine art photograph. It has been so rewarding to not only see the concept I envisioned come to life through my collaboration with the ASPENX team, but now to see it as a piece of fine art! The ASPENX Beach Club is truly an artistic vision, and I hope this special activation inspires you all, just as much as Aspen has for me. The editions of this piece are truly limited, so get one while you can to make the memory last forever on your walls.
Cheers!
XX
Gray