A sculptural tribute to excellence and humility – Crafted by Franco-Italian artist Dorian Volta, the official European Hotel Awards trophy embodies the spirit of hospitality through radical simplicity and symbolic purity. Made from a sleek block of Obsidian Acrylic™, this minimalist black monolith reflects both prestige and humility — two timeless values at the heart of exceptional service – Award Design by Dorian Volta: A Black Jewel of Distinction.
Created by one of our artist friends, Dorian Volta, the official European Hotel Awards trophy is a refined object of contemporary design.
Sculpted from a block of premium Obsidian Acrylic™ — a deep, mirror-black material with a sleek, mineral finish — the award rises like a silent black monolith: 5 cm square and 25 cm high.
Elegant and pure in form, this black jewel carries powerful symbolism. On one face, the name European Hotel Awards is applied with high-quality white UV printing. On the other, the discreet signature of Dorian Volta is inscribed — a mark of artistic authorship and exceptional craftsmanship.
Even though the design may appear simple, this radical purity is entirely intentional — like a primordial symbol, echoing one of the core values in hospitality:
humility.
This object is more than an award — it’s a timeless relic of recognition, an icon of European hospitality. Dorian Volta, Artist
About Dorian Volta
Dorian Volta (b. 1982, Milan) is a Franco-Italian autodidact and multidisciplinary artist, known for his minimalist yet emotionally resonant creations.
Without formal academic constraints, he shaped his own artistic path across sculpture, design, installation, and conceptual art, developing a singular aesthetic where material, silence, and structure converge.
Fascinated by symbols of power, ritual, and transformation, Volta works across media — from intimate objects and limited editions to architectural installations and bespoke commissions. His pieces are often described as “functional sculptures”, designed to embody both stillness and intensity.
Now based between Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, and London, he maintains a private studio practice and collaborates with a network of skilled artisans across Europe and the U.S.
His work has been featured at Milan Design Week, PAD Paris, and appears in discreet private collections throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has also collaborated with luxury hotels, fashion houses, and avant-garde concept spaces.
The European Hotel Awards trophy is one of his rare public commissions — a discreet yet powerful object that reflects both the intimate prestige and the timeless symbolism of the award it represents.
