How was the process of curating the exhibition and having it displayed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?
What can people expect from the exhibition?
I consider Time, Nature and Love to the most important and most representative values of life and consequently of the objects that accompany our daily lives. Unfortunately, such values are not very easy to find in jewelry because jewelry is always in balance between eternity and ephemeral, tradition and fashion, love and investment, beauty and concept, nature and fiction. I hope the visitors come out of the exhibition with this sense of beauty and enchantment, and noticing the ethos that make up the Maison’s values seen throughout the creations.
If you had to pick a section that you connect with more, would it be Time, Nature or Love?
The exhibition is organized along the three themes of the title: Time, Nature and Love that I consider as the most important values of life and that are crucial values and keys to the Maison since it was founded in 1906.
This is the first jewelry exhibition based on the difficult and defiant concept of time and from my curatorial perspective time is essential to understand contemporaneity and is fundamental both for creativity as for craftsmanship. That is why, the Time section is the dearest to me.
Time gives objects their aesthetic qualities; reveals their origins; defines their style; determines their function and social utility; defines materials and techniques; and influences tastes. This is why each object should represent its own time. Therein lies its value and its meaning.
High Jewelry has a controversial relationship with time, it bridges the space between times and values which are often contrasting: eternal and ephemeral, art and fashion, ornament and investment. Here, time is understood both as Kronos, in quantitative terms defined by the passing of hours, and as Kairos, in qualitative terms, marking the creation of Van Cleef & Arpels’ masterpieces.
Out of around 280 pieces, that include jewelry creations, watches and precious objects, which pieces would you say are your favorites?
The Zip necklace, without a doubt! Of course I am impressed by many other extraordinary jewels and precious objects, but with the Zip necklace it was love at first sight. As Director of the Vicenza Museum of Jewelry, I also selected it for its ability to mix the highest goldsmith craftsmanship with the functionalism of the industrial zipper initially used for U.S. uniforms. A masterpiece of concept, innovation, creativity and technique to be discovered in every detail
What would people be surprised to learn about when it comes to jewelry design?
Design is a discipline strongly connected with contemporaneity and devoted to innovation. Design brings new materials, new rechniques but also new scenarios and new meanings for new clients.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in jewelry and accessory design?
I graduated in architecture, and I got a PhD in history and architecture, so it was quite natural for me when I moved to Milan that is a world capital of fashion and design to interpret my architectural background at the scale of design. my sliding doors experience. A Lucky one.
