The world famous jewelry house "Cartier" moved a corner of Paris to the Persian Gulf to tell everyone about the art of creating precious masterpieces. The exhibition Le Visage Archai'que, created by the master of Italian design Alessandro Mendini, was presented to visitors of the Art Dubai-2013 art exhibition, which was held from March 20 to 23 at the luxurious Madinat Jumeirah resort in Dubai.
Imagine that you go into the exhibition hall in anticipation of a meeting with masterpieces of jewelry. In the center of the original exposition stands, like a monument, the figure of an idol - a precious piece or pagan totem made of golden mosaic and shrouded in a halo of holiness. A pendant is tied around his neck like a tie, inside of which are three Cartier gold creations created by the masters of the House in 2002.
The role of this sculpture is ambiguous: either a symbol of beliefs, or an attempt to emphasize the value of gold - for many guests of the pavilion this question remained unanswered.
"We are happy to once again take part in the Art Dubai exhibition and once again demonstrate our dedication to high art. Established in 1984, our Foundation for Contemporary Art Foundation aims to reflect Cartier’s interest in all forms of art and encourage young artists to develop talent and present their works in all over the world, ”said Louis Ferla, Cartier Regional Director for the Middle East, India and Africa.
Walking along the “Parisian” street Rue de la Paix, also known as Mira Street, one cannot help but feel the spirit of the homeland of jewelry art and all world fashion. Already at the beginning of the XIX century, this promenade was the epicenter of the Parisian style, considered the embodiment of French sophistication and chic. And still today, on the way from Place Vendome to the Opera Garnier, every day the best boutiques of perfumes, haute couture clothes and, of course, precious products open their doors.
at the Dubai exhibition, where Cartier boutique showcases at 13 Rue de la Paix were recreated, collectors could enjoy all the stylistic richness of luxury goods and the technique of exclusive jewelry. Here you can also visit the legendary salon of Jeanne Toussin, known under the pseudonym Panther.
Starting in 1847, Cartier's works demonstrate the highest artistic value and embody unique jewelry craftsmanship. No wonder the British monarch Edward VII called Cartier "the jeweler of kings and the king among jewelers."
Through the story
Beginning in 1847, when the founder of the House, Louis-Francois Cartier, became the owner of the jewelry workshop of his teacher Adolf Picard, located at 29 Montorgueux Street in Paris, the dazzling Cartier jewelry reflects the unity of style and superior craftsmanship. For several generations, they never cease to delight lovers of luxury with their indescribable beauty and sophistication.
Museum of Art and Traditions
According to Cartier executives, contemporary art and luxury goods are a "marriage made in heaven." Always going hand in hand, they give rise to fantasies and ideas for creative solutions and finds from jewelers.
Founded in 1984, the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art has made a major contribution to the new vision of the philanthropic institution in France. Helping various artists in their work and organizing exhibitions, the foundation supports contemporary art, seeing in it a means of expressing the problems of today's world, and strives to make it more accessible to the general public. At first, the organization’s office was located in the suburbs of Paris and provided artists with shelter and an opportunity to work. In 1994, the foundation moved to the city center, to a magnificent building designed by architect Jean Nouvel.
Over the past two decades, he has earned a reputation as one of the Olympics of contemporary art. Cartier’s bold exhibitions have attracted many visitors and have already contributed to the discovery of many great talents. Painting, video, photography, design and fashion - all these types of art were presented in the exhibition halls by their creators, both famous and beginners.
Bernard Fornas, president of Cartier International, said: “The foundation is an integral part of Cartier’s image. Complementing the brand, it has its own face. Of course, the same people often buy Cartier products and contemporary art, but the result of the fund’s work is hard to express in precise figures. Rather, it's about reputation and recognition. Such things have no commercial value. "
Fashion Designer 
The legend of Italian architecture, a famous designer, art critic and writer, creative leader of the Alchemy group Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. He received an architectural education in Milan, until 1970 he was a partner in the workshop of Nizzoli Associati. Later he worked as the chief editor of Casabella magazine, became one of the founders of Global Tools - the school of "radical" architecture and "new" design. At the same time as publishing, he designed sharp, multifaceted pieces of furniture.
His activities are aimed at individual objects, furniture, conceptual interiors, paintings, installations and architecture. In 1989, together with his brother Francesco Mendini, he opened the Atelier Mendini studio, which designed the Alessi plant in Omenga; Olympic pool in Trieste; several metro stations in Naples; the refurbishment of the City Hall in Naples and the Byblos Art Hotel in Verona; the creation of the Trend Group headquarters in Vicenza; Herosima Memorial Obelisk, Japan; Groninger Museum in Holland and other structures in Europe and America.
In 2002, the Fragilisme exhibition was held, where the designer, together with the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, presented a copy of the Cathedral covered with mosaics and a figure of a Murano glass warrior. For the exhibition Histoires de voir, Show and Tell Alessandro Mendini composed a fascinating work-journey into the rich world of colors, shapes and materials. Let's hope that he will continue to communicate with us in the same creative way through his projects, talking about things that inspire us to think ...
