Two rising artists from Hannover have turned hotel rooms into vibrant works of art in an unprecedented project that brings contemporary art directly to guests. Pop art artist Theo Nikolaidis, 33, and neo-expressionist Sven Liesy, 38, have transformed two rooms at the Me and all Hotel near Aegi into colorful total art installations. The unique art rooms were officially unveiled with a vernissage party attended by prominent guests.
In room 323, stars of the early hip-hop scene have found a new home on the walls. Snoop Dogg, 54, is clearly recognizable, flanked by Tupac Shakur, who died at 25, and The Notorious B.I.G., who passed away at 24. Above them reign two other music legends: Bob Marley, who died at 36, and Michael Jackson, who died at 50. "The music heroes of my life are gathered on this wall," says Theodoros Nikolaidis, 33, whom everyone calls Theo. The Hannover-born artist with Greek roots immortalized this quintet with acrylic paints, commissioned by hotel director Lisa Edelmann, 35.
"We met at the GOP in spring. I was so fascinated by this vibrant art that I discussed with my team whether we could imagine giving both artists a room each for free creative design," Edelmann explained. The collaboration began when she encountered the artists' work and was immediately struck by their bold use of color and distinctive styles.
The other artist is Sven Liesy, 38, born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein but now a Hannover resident by choice, who shares a studio in Laatzen with Nikolaidis and is his best friend. Unlike pop art artist Nikolaidis, the 38-year-old has devoted himself to neo-expressionism. "While Theo paints figures and buildings so they can be clearly recognized, I only hint and leave room for the viewer's imagination," Liesy explains.
Both are emerging young artists with impressive credentials. Theo Nikolaidis was recognized as the best contemporary artist 2025 on Crete, while Sven Liesy was nominated for the European Art Prize in 2023. Both exhibit around the globe: Hamburg, Miami, and even in the 32-million-inhabitant metropolis of Chongqing in China. Liesy has transformed luxury cars into moving art objects, while Nikolaidis has designed jackets for rapper Farid Bang, 39, and US pop star Jason Derulo, 36.
"Just because we travel so much, it's a big deal to be able to pull off something like this in Hannover," says Nikolaidis, whose brother Niko is also a vibrant designer. They had three weeks for the two directly adjacent rooms, numbered 223 and 323, each about 25 square meters. "This was one of the most intense art phases of my life," Theo Nikolaidis recounts. "We even slept in the rooms and therefore lived around the clock in this commission." The pressure came from knowing that both rooms would subsequently be rented out in the 165-room hotel, costing between 99 euros on low-frequency weekends and 1,300 euros during peak trade fair times per night, and would need to appeal to customers from around the world.
"I blocked that out," says Liesy, who loves animal motifs and also accommodated an elephant in his room. "I had mega inspiration and am satisfied with the result." In the artistic work of the father of three, whose wife Felicitas lured him to Hannover, there's a special feature: he paints in the brightest acrylic colors but cannot distinguish them from each other. "I am colorblind," Liesy explains. "Where you see red, green, blue and yellow very clearly, I see gray in different shades. When I reach for a certain color tone, I have to rely on what's written on the tube or spray can."
Nikolaidis dedicated only one wall to music; the rest of the room belongs to Hannover. "The most beautiful city in the world," he says beaming, "no matter where I am, I will always come back." He immortalized the Kröpcke clock, the Nanas sculptures, the Market Church, and in front of the city hall sits the Joker from the Batman films "because he always takes on politics," as Nikolaidis says. Spider-Man hangs on the Anzeiger high-rise "because Peter Parker in the hero's costume is actually a photojournalist."
The radiant motifs become experiential through special blacklight illumination, though the rooms naturally also have completely normal lighting, so guests can choose, emphasizes Director Edelmann. The granddaughter of a painting grandfather is totally happy with the result. The rooms can be booked immediately, and demand is huge.
Hannover's first pop art and neo-expressionism rooms were inaugurated with a vernissage party and 150 invited guests. RTL Nord moderator Alexander Gurgel, 46, was absolutely amazed, while Hallo Niedersachsen moderator Christina von Saß, 50, was deeply impressed. "These rooms enrich the city," she commented. Reality TV star Sandra Czok, 35, came wearing boots painted by Sven Liesy, while Fury guitarist Christof Stein-Schneider, 63, brought his instrument in a guitar case designed by Liesy and even performed music. "For this project, it's an honor for me," he said.
The project was orchestrated by self-defense icon Ricardo Savia, 52, at whose Ricardo & Friends gala at the GOP the artists and director first met. "I had hoped that both sides could benefit, but what has emerged here exceeds my expectations by far," Savia reflected on the successful collaboration that has brought contemporary art into an entirely new hospitality context.
