Palazzo Versace was the Gold Coast’s most desired destination for New Year’s Eve 2010 as it played host to a glamorous party which went off with a massive ‘pop’.

Alex Zabotto-Bentley with a
custom-made pop-poodle

The hotel was transformed by AZB Creative’s Alex Zabotto-Bentley into an exotic pop-culture playground of intoxicating music, kaleidoscopic pop art sculptures and pop modernism installations that took guests into a world like no other.

“We designed living, breathing art installations where guests will experience a pop cultural playground never before seen in Australia,” Zabotto-Bentley said.

“Seven-metre high custom designed inflatable pop art sculptures and multi-colour projections created an ambiance that took centre stage at the party alongside incredible music, art, food and beverage,” he said.

Some of the custom-designed works included the seven metre high inflatable giant pop poodle through, a three metre giant ball floating above the enormous buffet in the Medusa Ballroom and hundreds of smaller inflatables in fluro-colours, which were perched on top of artificial topiaries and matched by fresh flower balls created by Karin Bradley from Palazzo Versace Floral Designs.

The hotel’s enormous foyer – named the ‘Electric POP Foyer’ – was the introduction to the event where all the columns were wrapped in polka dot fabric.

That was alongside 12 giant helium-filled custom polka dot balloons, which floated to the ceiling, and a giant inflatable blue character which governed the space.

And another poodle at Palazzo Versace

With entertainment by Grammy-nominated British DJ duo The Freemasons, home-grown international DJ Scott Pullen, Emily Williams and Jessica Mauboy ringing in the New Year, the 600 guests were immersed in the pop culture of the night.

AZB Creative also designed giant projections throughout the night featuring pop art images with the culmination of an exploding diamond showering all walls and ceiling of the foyer at midnight.

The company was also responsible for a pop photo studio filled with scores of props and a photographer to capture everyone in the midst of NYE madness.

“I love partnering with Palazzo Versace on such events,” Zabotto-Bentley said. “They totally embrace the vision and their team is as excited as my staff. It was hugely successful because we all shared the same passion for the project.

“Palazzo Versace Executive Chef Steve Szabo created an incredible menu of Pop inspired fare.

“From lipstick holders containing asparagus, fresh ginger and crème fraiche through to salmon on crostini with a paint tube on top that dispensed wasabi mayonnaise.

“I cannot wait to work on the next project with Russell Durnell, General Manager of Palazzo Versace, who became the curator of this pop event and we are in talks already for an even more outstanding NYE 2011 event,” he said.

For more about AZB Creative, visit www.azbthecreative.com