Okuda San Miguel to Debut “Mother Natura” at Park MGM’s Mama Rabbit Bar in Las Vegas
Acclaimed Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel has partnered with Mama Rabbit Bar at Park MGM in Las Vegas to create “Mother Natura” – a project featuring the country’s first sculptural slot machines and an accompanying mural inspired by the legend of Mayahuel, the Mexican goddess of agave and fertility (Photo credit: JustKids).
Through his acclaimed Pop Surrealistic style, Okuda created a mural of goddess Mayahuel looking down upon a valley with agave, accompanied by three slot machines embedded in painted fiberglass sculptures. The machines, which each stand at over 12 feet tall, resemble a bunny and two deer.
Okuda San Miguel to Debut “Mother Natura” at Park MGM’s Mama Rabbit Bar in Las Vegas
Photo credit: JustKids
Okuda said, “I am delighted to create this new body of work and to have fulfilled this collaboration, in partnership with global creative house Justkids, for Mama Rabbit Bar and the prestigious MGM Resorts Art & Culture collection. I was immediately drawn and inspired by the strong visual traditions of indigenous cultures of Mexico, not only in the expression of the mythological but in the mastery of harnessing colors and compositions to convey their foundational ideas of the world.”
MGM Resorts International President of Events and Nightlife Sean Christie said, “Okuda’s innate ability to capture the spirit and beauty of his environment and translate that feeling into stunning works of art is what drew us to him for this project. From the moment guests walk through Mama Rabbit’s front entrance, they will be in awe of the masterpieces he has created. The experience will continue to unfold as they explore the venue and delve into the country’s largest mezcal and tequila collection, curated by Bricia Lopez, along with fun programming focused on music, food, sports and culture. One trip to Mama Rabbit will leave guests eager to return.”
Together, the pieces explore the relationship between nature’s mystical elements and Anthropocene- the current geological age. Okuda’s vibrant work invites audiences to make their own connections around ideas of modern life in its relation to their indelible roots, constantly manifested through the ebbs and flows of nature and society.
“Another central aspect to ‘Mother Natura’ is the leading role of feminine power, themes that I explore recurrently in my body of work,” Okuda added. “Here, the feminine is expressed as nature itself, in all its strength and vulnerability.”
Mama Rabbit Bar is an Oaxacan-inspired mezcal and tequila destination created in partnership with James Beard Award-winner Bricia Lopez – who was lovingly dubbed a “Oaxacan Princess” by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Gold. The concept celebrates Oaxacan culture and spirits with craft cocktails, a menu of small bites, and the country’s largest selection of mezcal and tequila.
Okuda adds to the ever-growing art and culture scene in Las Vegas defined by internationally renowned artists including Picasso, Maya Lin, David Hockney, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Ugo Rondinone and many others.
“Mother Natura” will be available for public viewing when Mama Rabbit Bar opens at Park MGM August 28.