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you can pay can to stay in. In the early '90s, Malca embarked on his journey through New York's art scene. He was one of the first people to see the potential in Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, before the two were officially acknowledged amongst critics. Malca's moment in the sun came in 1997, when he orchestrated an exhibit titled 'In Your Face.' At the time, the Whitney Museum of American Art was hosting a Haring retrospective and Malca organized his own showing right across the street which featured work not only by Haring, but also Basquiat and Kenny Scharf. Aer becoming the trio's key lender and advisor, Malca has found the best way to express his passion for contemporary art is through his Tulum hotel. By the looks of it, no one would ever guess this property was once owned by a former drug kingpin. But we are sure that Escobar himself would've loved to call this newly-renovated, private playground his own. Welcomed by velvet draping, a floating couch and KAWS sculpture in the lobby—Casa Malca defines itself as "a home for thinkers and dreamers who believe in the liberating powers of creativity and self discovery." Combining the ancient materials and artisan crasmanship of the Mayans with contemporary paintings, sculptures and photographs, it is clear from the very start that Casa Malca is unlike anything else you'll see in Mexico. White stucco walls make up the property's exterior and its façade is made from oversized tree trunks, stacked one on top of the other. Tiered curtains made from vintage wedding dresses frame each side of the entryway, and antique furniture hangs down, suspended by raers (the fanciest swing set you've VUE ON ART V U E N J . C O M 79

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