Vacheron Constantin

Visit of the Vacheron Constantin Lounge at the FIAC

 

We all know the strong involvement of Vacheron Constantin in Arts and the skills of the Manufacture when it comes to combining horological contents with artistic techniques. This year, for the very first time, Vacheron Constantin is partner of the FIAC (Foire International de l'Art Contemporain). We may have the feeling that Vacheron Constantin is a very classic brand far from the daring pieces of Contemporary Art. But at the end, this partnership is logical because the Vacheron Constantin history is full of examples in which contemporary artists or trends influenced the creation of the timepieces.

Moreover, Vacheron Constantin takes the opportunity of this partnership to present in the prestigious scenery of the Grand Palais the exhibition "Arts & Crafts & Design. Time according to Alessandro Mendini and his artisans" whose aim is to show the interaction between Arts and Crafts, and to give the proof that how a close work between a designer and craftsman can lead to creative designs. Some of you may know this exhibition since it was already displayed at the Ecole d'Art et de Design of Lausanne and at the SIHH.

I propose you to discover the 13 pieces of the exhibition, from zero to twelve, each of them highlighting a specific craft and different materials.

Let's discover first the atmosphere of the FIAC at the Grand Palais:

The Vacheron Constantin Lounge is decorated with this impressive wall of pictures which gives us a glimpse of the artistic techniques used by Vacheron to decorate its timepieces:

Several displays are set up inside the Lounge. My fav one being dedicated to the Métiers d'Art - Florilège:

My fav piece of the collection, the Reine:

These 3 watches feature a 37mm case and are powered by the handwind 4400 caliber:

I was also glad to see again the new "Les Univers Infinis" collection:

My fav of the collection is the "Lézard" watch. All of them use a 40mm case and are powered by the automatic 2460 SC caliber with a central second.

The Lounge is very nicely decorated, each detail has the objective to remind the proximity between Vacheron Constantin and Arts:

Let's have a look at Alessandro Mendini's exhibition now!

Zero with Bisazza Mosaic:

One with Venini glass, maybe my fav piece of the exhibition:

Two with lace coming from Cantu:

Three is made of ceramic from Superego Design with gold finishing:

Four is created with a lacquered polyurethane from Slide, a company based in Milano:

Five is made of lacquered wood:

Six uses different slabs of transparent and fluorescent plexiglas:

Seven combines bronze with marble:

Eight highlights the technique of marquetry:

I also like a lot Nine. Nine is made of  brass with a gold coating:

Ten combines glass, steel and marble:

I was less seduced by Eleven... Eleven is made of polyurethane, silk and iron. It is the most horizontal piece while the others are much more vertical, being almost totems!

Twelve embodies an interesting idea by mixing recycled wood with fossilised one:

A very versatile exhibition which manages to show the potential of each material and the skills of the craftsmen.

Time is coming to leave the FIAC and the Vacheron Constantin Lounge... the FIAC is open till the 27th of October so if you are in Paris, don't miss the opportunity to visit this exhibition and of course to enter the booths of the different galleries. You will have a comprehensive and clear picture of the current trends of Contemporary Art.

Thanks a lot to the Vacheron Constantin Team.

Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-10-23 14:48:01

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