Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a themed, festive display. Titled “Eye of the Tiger”, the display teaches and inspire guests about Chinese tradition. The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes strength, passion, bravery and ambition.
While viewing the “Eye of the Tiger” exhibit, guests will be treated to lotus flowers, gold coins, silk-lantern chandeliers and a golden representation of the mighty tiger, and nearly 6,000 plants.
The design for this exhibition was a collaboration between designer Ed Libby and the Bellagio’s horticulture team. Utilizing the ancient practice of Feng Shui or the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy, Libby and the team created a space that combines Asian tradition and contemporary pieces.
The space is divided into four beds. The west bed contains a bronze sculpture of a tiger drinking from a pod. His majesty projects the feeling of the new year. Across from this is the east bed. Housing fountains shaped like lotus flowers that represent rebirth and recovery. These two beds are surrounded by four Ding vessels to anchor the space.
In the north bed, curators built a traditional tea house. It overlooks a koi pond and there are peony sculptures, jade medallions, and more tigers. Finally, in the south bed, there is a replica of The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. More greenery, including a pomegranate tree, bamboo, and bonsai trees, surround the sacred space.
“Each of the four beds within the Lunar New Year exhibit incorporates traditional elements with contemporary pieces that add excitement and a fresh perspective to long-standing Asian traditions,” said Ed Libby. “Dramatic and glamorous components are artfully designed, created and arranged in each part of the exhibit for an epic presentation and a feast for the senses.”
When visitors go to experience this exhibit, they will encounter:
- 8,000: Number of flowers used to create the Knick Knack Peddler and children
- 8,000: Pounds of the bronze tiger
- 5,700: Plants on display throughout the exhibit
- 370: I Ching coins on the gold money tree
- 100: Bonsai trees
- 40: Koi fish in the North Bed, some second and third-generation fish that were born in the Conservatory
- 30 feet: Height of the tiger’s tail
- 4: Number of hanging Jade Medallions created with 3D printers
- 4: Ding Vessels
- 3: Number of tiger representations in the display
The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complementary to the public and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information, please visit the Bellagio’s website.
