Art of Cartier Sparkles in Seoul
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Complimenting ongoing exhibitions of jewelry houses like Tiffany & Co., another Paris-based jewelry house Cartier is opening its `` The Art of Cartier'' exhibit today at the National Museum of Art in Deoksugung, downtown Seoul.
The exhibit will feature 267 pieces of jewelry and more than 70 drawings, photos and posters that date back to the 1860s.
``This exhibition will show the evolution, style and inspiration of Cartier. Through all the periods and women who admired him, you can recognize his generation and strong distinctive style,'' said Pierre Rainero, the Cartier Heritage director, at a press conference in Seoul Monday.
It was in 1847 that Louis-Francois Cartier took over a jewelry workshop at age 29 in Paris and expanded it into one of the world's finest and most renowned jewelry companies, admired by royal families, celebrities and the public.
The exhibition is divided into four sections. ``The Birth of Style'' features pieces that were made before Cartier's distinct style was formed. This section will introduce the use of platinum, which was a unique feature in crafting jewelry at that time.
At ``A Universal Curiosity,'' visitors will be able to see works inspired by different cultures, including Persian, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. Various materials such as ivory, mother of pearl and jade were used, creating a more distinctive look.
The ``Styling of Women of Power'' section offers visitors with modern and practical designs. As women in the mid-1930s wanted jewelry that could compliment their modern, independent, style, Cartier created jewelry that went well with their preferences.
`It will be interesting for visitors to see how Cartier accompanied (women's) expression of freedom in the mid-30s,'' Rainero said.
One of the most interesting features of the exhibition is the last section, ``Archive and Workshop.'' Visitors can have a glimpse of the design and crafting process of Cartier's works, including preliminary drawings, sketches, plaster molds and other old documents.
``Once art is made, documents are usually lost, but Cartier kept all of the documents. It is a testimony to Cartier's history. They are considered art themselves,'' Rainero said.
Along with the exhibition, the museum offers lectures for those who want to delve deeper into Cartier's art. Cartier's curator, Pascale Milhaud, will join visitors and give a lecture on the artwork displayed at the exhibition. The lecture will be held today.. Xavier Gargat, Cartier's workshop director, will also visit to give a lecture on Cartier's history and unique style April 28. Visitors must apply through the museum's homepage for both lectures.
``The Art of Cartier'' exhibition runs through July 13 at the National Museum of Art, located near exit 1 of City Hall Station on subway line 1. Admission is 11,000 won for adults, 7,500 won for middle and high school students and 5,500 won for elementary students. Visit www.artofcartier.co.kr (Korean and English).