Cartier's 'Crystalization of Time' Exhibition in Seoul
ⓒ Cartier
Centers around the idea of time and timelessness – not only the past, but also the now and the future, and showcases both the beautiful timepieces and jewelry, but Cartier's commitment to innovation in design and materials, and the respect to nature and the cultures which inspired the creations
While originally exhibited in Japan, both the curators and Cartier teams ensured that it is relevant to Korea, despite the fact that the ties with the country are much younger than with other cultures
What really stopped me in my tracks is the wonderful relationship between Cartier and Onjium, the Research Institute of Korean Cultural Heritage – and the research it's been funding since 2015, bringing back to life an almost forgotten fabric traditional 'Ra' (it disappeared almost completely during the Joseon era [1392-1897] due to how intricate and labor-intense it was to produce), beautifully applied throughout the exhibition in the form of veils
Little side note, as part of the lectures and experiences organized around the exhibition, I was able to take part in a crafts lesson led by Onjium and made my own little Ra pouch, sowing the fabric together with a gold thread
The exhibition also featured traditional Korean Hanji paper, antique furniture and ceramics displayed alongside traditional Japanese elements in passages between the three distinct sections the show was divided into
As for the pieces - both from Cartier's archives and private collections – no need for my words, pictures say it best
All in all, it is a truly breathtaking exhibition. If you are in Seoul before it closes on 30 June, you simply MUST visit it. The scale, the attention to detail, the artistic and intellectual effort that went into shaping it, all of that is a true testimony to Cartier's cultural leadership.
I would like to thank Viviana Caslini, Art & Culture Director at Cartier in Milan and Irene Insun Jung, Culture & Corporate Communication Manager at Cartier Korea for kindly helping organize my visit. I reached out following lectures by Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier, and Rodolphe Ratzel, Managing Director at Cartier South East Europe – part of the Milan module of the Executive Master in Luxury Management program with SDA Bocconi. Despite everyone's extremely busy schedule surrounding the exhibition, I was warmly welcomed and am very grateful for the opportunity.
Also thank you to the docent who showed me around – Daniel (Yeram) Jeon – for being so passionate and knowleadgeable about the exhibition and the brand. Daniel spent 1,5 hours explaining every little detail to me and made the whole experience even better. I left enriched.
