Van Cleef & Arpels to exhibit at Art Dubai
Van Cleef & Arpels has been invited to participate in Art Dubai, the renowned international Art fair. From 17 to 20 March 2010, Van Cleef & Arpels will organize an exclusive exhibition celebrating nearly one hundred years of watchmaking creation dedicated to the Poetry of Time.
The Poetry of Time is the title of both a coffee-table book published by Van Cleef & Arpels and the programme of this exclusive exhibition created for Art Dubai. Taking the form of an enchanted promenade, it offers a voyage of discovery to the heart of the Poetry of Time, punctuated by the presentation of iconic Van Cleef & Arpels timepieces which illustrates its unique style and savoir-faire.
The first section of the exhibition, Heritage, traces the evolution of watchmaking at Van Cleef & Arpels through emblematic timepieces, such as the PA 49 and the Cadenas watch.
The visitor is then immersed in the Poetic Complications world, which ticks to the rhythm of the seasons with, in particular, the Les Jardins quantième de saison timepieces, all inspired by the marvels of Nature and French, Italian, English and Oriental gardens.
The discovery continues on a promenade theme with the Une Journée à Paris timepiece from the High Jewellery collection with the same name, and the Pont des Amoureux timepiece, a Poetic Complication that Van Cleef & Arpels will unveil during the forthcoming SIHH on 18 January 2010.
The Midnight in Dubai timepiece is a completely new complication that reproduces the stars in the Dubai night sky while demonstrating the Maison’s extraordinary creativity and craftsmanship. It is equipped with a unique and extremely complex movement which links the notion of time to the Cosmos. Poetry is also expressed in the magic that permeates the Van Cleef & Arpels universe: the precious Féérie timepiece is a dazzling homage to this mysterious and fascinating other world.
Though these watches are among the Maison’s contemporary creations, all of them bear the hallmarks of a long-standing watchmaking tradition together with a cultural and technical heritage that is very dear to Van Cleef & Arpels. As a result, a Workshop section coordinated by the master watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht will enable everyone to discover the secret mechanisms of watches, while Dominique Baron will unveil her enamelling craftsmanship and reveal how simple pigments can bring luxurious settings to life.
By diving into the secret world of Poetic Complications and Extraordinary Dials, another conception of time emerges and is upheld by artisans, whose expertise and talent constitute a true legacy that Van Cleef & Arpels strives to protect. Master enamellers, lacquer workers, watch designers and other artisans are also an integral part of this unique vision of the Poetry of Time. A potent mix of true creative audacity, innovation and technical mastery, this vision ensures that Van Cleef & Arpels remains a unique watchmaker and affirms that its watchmaking and jewellery creations have the power to make your heart beat just that little bit faster. The many coronations, famous romances, engagements or marriages in which the Maison has participated also demonstrate this fact. The exhibition will also provide an occasion for the visitor to discover some of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most beautiful jewels.
Furthermore, Art Dubai has enabled Van Cleef & Arpels to pledge its support to START, a charity founded in 2007 by Art Dubai and the Al Madad Foundation which gives to disadvantaged children from the Middle East the opportunity to take part in numerous artistic activities. Van Cleef & Arpels will put a Charms watch up for auction and will donate 5% of its sales revenue generated during the fair to the Organisation.
For more information visit vancleef-arpels.com and artdubai.ae.
