Milaidhoo Maldives, the pristine private island paradise, is proud to announce that it will be hosting a week-long Multi-Sensory Art Retreat in October, for guests to reset the mind, body, and soul. The one-of-a-kind escape, hosted by renowned UAE-based artist Alena Lavdovskaya, aims to ignite creativity and self-expression through a series of immersive experiences that engage all five senses.
Alena is recognised as one of the world’s leading Russian illustrators and brings elegance to life through her celebrated work. With an illustrious career spanning more than two decades, she has worked with a host of celebrities, fashion magazines and global organisations, also captivating audiences with her exquisite work in a series of solo exhibitions. Her artistic prowess always shines through, making her a true icon in the industry.
The Multi-Sensory Art Retreat at Milaidhoo is designed to take guests on a captivating journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. The retreat will focus on vision, sound, taste, smell, touch, and intuition with each session centered on a different sensory element, allowing participants to unlock their creative potential in unique and unexpected ways.
The retreat begins with the “Vision” session, where guests are guided through techniques to gain confidence in putting their visions on paper and understanding new perspectives. The participants will be introduced to Alena, who through brainteasers and a beginner’s art class, will help guests shift their perspectives and gain inspiration for their artistic endeavours.
Next, during the “Sound” session the therapists at Serenity Spa will perform a sound healing session, and Alena will guide guests in illustrating the emotions and sensations evoked by these sounds on a canvas, opening new avenues of artistic expression and introducing participants to innovative techniques of depicting “sound” through visual art.
In the “Taste” session, participants will embark on a culinary journey, collaborating with the expert Milaidhoo chefs. Guests will put their senses to the test, tasting hors d’oeuvres, canapés and bonbons, while blindfolded. Participants will then learn the art of plating, creating their own culinary masterpieces, emphasizing presentation. After the plating session, guests will savour a delectable four-course meal specially crafted by Milaidhoo’s culinary team.
The “Smell” session invites guests on a rejuvenating aromatherapy meditation session led by Serenity Spa and Alena. Through this olfactory experience, they will explore how different scents can enhance their creative mindset. Alena will guide them in capturing scents in their artwork, while the spa team will share valuable insights on the impact of scents and offer them a gift pack of small scent bottles for further experimentation.
Following a relaxing massage during the “Touch” session, guests will explore the sense of touch through finger painting, learning about the different textures brought about by paint and creating tactile elements in their artwork. This session encourages guests to express themselves through the medium of touch and further enhances their sensory experience.
Finally, in the “Intuition” session, guests will reflect on their profound journey and work with Alena to create inventive and unconventional self-portraits. Drawing from all the newfound senses and experiences, participants will create a personal art piece that captures the essence of their transformative journey. Alena will also create small art pieces for each guest, providing her interpretation of their newfound selves.
The Multi-Sensory Art Retreat at Milaidhoo is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines artistic expression with sensory stimulation. It offers Milaidhoo guests a rare opportunity to discover their inner creativity and forge a deeper and more meaningful connection with themselves and their surroundings.