ZAX Restaurant- Las Vegas NV.

Zax was the result of the renovation of a space previously occupied by California Pizza Kitchen. The MGM Mirage Design Center hired architect and designer Clay Markham of The Markham Group to create a new, hip and sexy atmosphere that would be appealing as a lunch location, as well as a dinner and late-night entertainment venue.

This atmosphere was truly created around the artwork. Special fx and The Markham Group collaborated in brainstorming about the “feel” of the space, even before thinking about the fabrics and materials. The descriptions of energy, excitement, sexy, sultry, and inviting were used as guides to find artists whose work represented those feelings. From the beginning, the design was based upon the artists, and their work. From there, the architect, and his design team, were inspired to create a design that was a work of art, as well, integrating the art, the architecture, the fabrics, finishes and materials as one great work.

The most intriguing aspect of Zax is the lighting, and the mood it creates at different times of the day. Jim Welty, created two 8 foot chandeliers made out of coiled copper and multi-colored glass. He also created five additional pendants following this same concept. These chandeliers offer the space a feeling of mystery, as the lighting gently illuminates, and softly casts color into the space.

The artwork also includes pieces by Lisa Kessler, whose work represents the energy, movement, and excitement of the space, as seen in the abstract figures moving throughout her 8 foot pieces.

The focal piece at the bar, by Hampton Hall, represents the sultry, sensual, and inviting feelings-which are created by an abstract woman molding herself inside of a figurative vessel.

The collection of work by these three very talented artists has created an overall space that truly creates a space filled with feeling, and invites everyone in to experience their own, as they desire.