The Maison presents a curated exhibition, The Art of Movement: Van Cleef & Arpels, living instants, eternal forms, from 11 April to 8 May 2025. Set against the historic backdrop of Watersedge at Campbell’s Stores in Sydney, Australia, the exhibition explores the Maison’s enduring pursuit of movement in jewellery design, showcasing over 100 pieces from its patrimonial collection alongside nearly 50 archival documents.
Structured around four themes — Human Odyssey, Nature Alive, Elegance and Abstract Movements — the exhibition traces Van Cleef & Arpels’ mastery of fluidity and lightness since its foundation in 1906. From sculpted motifs and three-dimensional compositions to openwork structures that allow light to ripple through gemstones, each creation reflects an evolving dialogue with movement. Iconic dancers, first introduced in 1941, take centre stage, their jewelled tutus capturing the grace of human motion. Other pieces evoke nature’s dynamism, the sweep of couture fabrics or the abstraction of kinetic forms.
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The scenography amplifies this vision, welcoming visitors with a floating matte ribbon inspired by the 1937 Silhouette clip. Display cases, crafted entirely from pleated fabric, echo the folds and curves of couture, drawing parallels between textiles and jewellery. The interplay of light and shadow further enhances the illusion of movement.
Next up: The art of time with Dawn Ng