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Perspective
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THE INSPIRATIONAL POWER that breeds talent Craftsmanship is the missing link between past splendours and contemporary artistic expression. Nurturing every form of creative momentum When it comes to the artistic crafts, it was the urgency as well as the beauty of the task that initially caught our attention and led us to dedicate our efforts to preserving these superior skills from extinction. We have continually sought to share them with the public, to showcase them, to confront them with universes far from their traditional territory. We have unremittingly worked to spark new vocations as well as partnerships between artists, designers and craftsmen. Each of these joint endeavours has proved to be a rich source of inspiration and insights – because artistic crafts are a fertile and generous ground that successfully nurtures every form of creative momentum.
Maison. They embody our tradition as well as representing our conviction that the future of creation will not take place without them. Artistic crafts awaken within us an irresistible desire to experiment. They are the primal energy that drives us to be trailblazers on uncharted or little-known territories. Such is the spirit that emerges from this new edition of the Arts & Crafts & Design magazine, an inventory of all that is wonderful, excellent and poetic. We are well acquainted with this feeling. Within the framework of our Métiers d ’art collection, this year we have worked to reinterpret the “Aberdeen Bestiary”, an extraordinary 12th century manuscript illustrating the wonders of Creation. This immersion into a universe of illuminated phantasmagorical animals that have miraculously found their way through the ages proved a singular experience.
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Over the past five years, the activities we have undertaken in conjunction with the Institut National des Métiers d ’Art (French National Institute of Arts and Crafts) have helped lay solid foundations. This year, we are partners of the “Mutations” exhibition, on show at Les Arts Décoratifs museum in Paris. Like a memory in motion, this exhibition places nine objects in perspective, inspired by heritage pieces belonging to the museum, and produced by artist and artisan collectives. In Milan, the public will have an opportunity to discover the “Intrecci” exhibition at the Bagatti Valsecchi museum, revisiting the art of traditional basket weaving in Italy. Finally, the European Artistic Crafts Days ( JEMA) will enable more than 65 artisan workshops from the Cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Jura to hold open days and share their passion for their trade. Engraving, guillochage, enamel painting and gem setting are inseparably bound up with the 260-year history of our
Our craftsmen have succeeded in restoring their flamboyancy through an unprecedented combination of techniques. For all those involved, this watchmaking adventure took the form of an initiatory journey to the innermost depths of human thought and genius. The inertial force of age-old skills cannot resist the powerful impetus of inspiration, nor the vibrant call of creation. Their amazing vitality restores enchantment to our daily lives. Today, artistic crafts are the missing link between past splendours and contemporary artistic expression. We are proud and happy to play a part in enhancing their reputation and influence in a variety of ways, including this publication.
*CEO Vacheron Constantin
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