Combining luxurious gems and diamonds with the natural aesthetic of photographed flora and fauna, the luxury jewellery brand is working together with photographer Mika Ninagawa to curate an exhibition like no other
Luxury jewellery and watchmaking brand Van Cleef & Arpels is celebrating the Japanese sensibility and appreciation for flowers this season with the launch of their newest Florae exhibition in Paris—which is essentially the brainchild of acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa.
As summer comes to an end, there is a common sense of sadness and reminiscence in countries with seasonal weather about the passing of another season where flowers were in full bloom and vibrancy. With this attitude in the back of her mind, Ninagawa channeled this communal theme of longing for the extension of the season in her artistic direction for this exhibition.
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In the conception of this exhibition, Ninagawa was given complete artistic freedom by the brand to explore the fleeting beauty of nature through her spellbinding photographs, with her work presented alongside the maison’s floral creations.
“By photographing flowers, I seek to capture and immortalise their fleeting beauty. Nothing lasts forever, so I want to preserve this beauty as it
appears at a precise moment in time. I strive to perpetuate the short-lived radiance of flowers, letting it live on through my photos. Like me, Van Cleef & Arpels is fascinated by nature’s transformations. Seeing how the maison seeks to replicate the movement of flowers in its jewellery inspires me greatly. These pieces and my photographs echo each other in the exhibition. Together, they spark a new fascination for flora,” says Ninagawa.
Within an immersive decor designed by architect Tsuyoshi Tane, over a hundred pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ patrimony collection and contemporary jewels commune with the Japanese artist’s brightly coloured photographs.
See also: Salvatore Ferragamo Partners With Korean Artist Boree Hur On Tuscan Wildflowers Campaign
