Belmond, the luxury train operator, has unveiled a new dining car that is a true masterpiece of conceptual art. The car, named Celia, is a 1932 vintage piece that has been transformed into a work of art by the renowned film director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, the production designer Catherine Martin. What makes Celia truly special is that it is not just a dining car, but a mobile work of art that transports passengers into another world. The couple has created a backstory for Celia, inspired by a 1930s Shakespearean actress named Celia, whose performance in A Midsummer Night's Dream inspired the railcar she came to own. The interior of Celia is a stunning confection of Art Deco, with burl veneers, marquetry, stained glass, mosaic, and saturated colors, especially the rich red that the partnership has made their signature. Traveling in Celia is like being transported into another world, where guests become part of a story that unfolds as they drift through the countryside, feeling as though they've stepped inside A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is not the first time Luhrmann and Martin have designed a space connected with a figure they have invented. Last year saw the opening of Monsieur, a bar in New York's East Village that was notionally inspired by a fictional nightclub impresario. Belmond has also collaborated with high-profile figures from the arts, such as Wes Anderson and the French artist JR. The question is, who will they ask next? Personally, I think that a collaboration with Elmgreen & Dragset would be a bold choice. Celia seats 12 and is available only on an exclusive-use basis, from £15,000. In my opinion, this is a truly remarkable creation that showcases the power of art to transform even the most mundane of spaces into something truly magical. From my perspective, it is a testament to the creativity and vision of Luhrmann and Martin, and a shining example of how art can enhance the travel experience.
