THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

In celebration of mastery

In celebration of mastery

An exhibition comparing the high jewellery of Van Cleef & Arpels to the traditional crafts of Japan within the context of skilled Japanese and French workmanship has been drawing lovers of luxury and beauty to the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto since it opened back in April.

Continuing through August 6, “Mastery of an Art” is part of Van Cleef & Arpels ongoing series of exhibitions at various museums in the world, with Kyoto meeting the criteria for this year’s choice.

From approximately 1,200 years ago to the beginning of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kyoto served as the capital of Japan. Although the city experienced various ups and downs, it gradually evolved into an elegant society.

From the start of the Heian Period in 794, the city attracted all manner of people and things, and produced a host of high-grade items related to food, clothing, and shelter. In the field of clothing, for example, lavish attire adorned with gold brocade, such as junihitoe (a 12- layered ceremonial kimono), kosode (short-sleeved kimono), tsujigahana (a dyeing technique using vivid images of flowers), and noh play costumes were created. In addition, as there were many outstanding techniques available in the area, including everything from weaving to dyeing (as seen in the still flourishing tradition of Nishijin textiles), Kyoto was able to satisfy a variety of needs. This was made possible by the skills and spirit of seasoned cra­ftsmen.

In this respect, Van Cleef and Arpels and Kyoto share a similar heritage. In both cases, highly skilled artisans have transmitted the mysteries of their art to successive generations. This inspired the present exhibition, which focuses on the “mastery of an art.”

The exhibition is designed to forge a unique bond between high jewellery, an emblematic example of French savoir-faire, and the 1,200-year history of the traditional craft­s of Japan and also will serve as a testament to the spirit of cultural exchange and friendship that exists between France and Japan, and more specially Paris and Kyoto.

Find out more at http://HighJewelry.Exhn.jp/.

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