The realm of high fashion continues to evolve as French fashion house Celine merges its design philosophy with the profound artistic legacy of French-German sculptor Jean Arp. In a groundbreaking collaboration, Celine has unveiled a limited-edition jewelry line that encapsulates Arp’s biomorphic artistry. This innovative collection not only showcases the beauty of sculpture but also transforms it into a wearable form, highlighting the seamless intersection of fashion and fine art.
Arp’s Sculptural Masterpiece: Ptolémée II
Central to this collection is Arp’s abstract sculpture Ptolémée II, a captivating piece that embodies the artist’s signature biomorphic style. Crafted from bronze, the sculpture features a soft, enveloping form that surrounds a central void—an emblematic element that radiates warmth and evokes imagery of life and creation. The hollow core of Ptolémée II invites viewers to contemplate themes of existence, the cosmos, and the metaphysical, creating a dialogue between presence and absence.
Celine’s interpretation of this iconic work is a striking pendant that can be worn as a necklace. Each piece in the collection reflects Arp’s vision, inviting wearers to carry a fragment of his artistic spirit into their daily lives.
Limited Edition: Exclusivity and Versatility
The Arp jewelry collection is notably exclusive, with only 100 pieces produced—50 in vermeil and 50 in silver. Each pendant is accompanied by a rounded link chain, allowing for versatile styling options. Wearers can choose to flaunt the pendant as a long sautoir or double it around their neck or wrist for a shorter look. When detached, the pendant can also serve as a small sculpture, emphasizing its dual purpose as both jewelry and art.
Etienne Robial, president of the Fondation Arp and a prominent French graphic designer, spoke to the significance of this piece: “Ptolémée II is the perfect embodiment of the dialectic of emptiness and fullness, inside and outside, form and counterform, where the whole and the void complement each other.” This statement underscores the intricate balance between the design of the pendant and its artistic origins.
Collaboration with the Arp Foundation
Robial has been instrumental in bringing Arp’s work to a broader audience, collaborating closely with Celine on the Ptolémée II talisman. This pendant marks the third release in Celine’s Bijoux d’Artistes Project, an initiative aimed at honoring influential artists by transforming their works into wearable art. Previous collaborations within this project have featured iconic figures such as French sculptor César and American artist Louise Nevelson.
Hedi Slimane, the creative director of Celine, has embraced the integration of fine art into the brand since his appointment in 2018. His Celine Art Project has led to the exhibition of approximately 200 artworks, either commissioned or acquired, in Celine boutiques around the world. The Ptolémée II pendant stands as one of Slimane’s final contributions before his recent departure, marking a significant moment in Celine’s artistic journey.
The Creative Process: A Two-Year Collaboration
The collaboration to create the Ptolémée II pendant spanned two years, during which Robial and his team provided Celine with insights and guidance on Arp’s work. Robial emphasized the importance of remaining faithful to the original sculpture throughout the design process: “As guardians of Arp’s legacy, we took care at every stage of the project to ensure that the pendant was as faithful as possible to the original sculpture. Thanks to Celine’s expertise, the 1-meter-tall (3-feet tall) Ptolémée II sculpture was reduced to no more than 6 cm (just under 2.5 inches).”
The careful scaling of Arp’s monumental piece into a wearable format illustrates the commitment to artistry and attention to detail that defines both Arp’s work and Celine’s design ethos.
Jean Arp: A Multifaceted Artistic Journey
Jean Arp’s artistic journey is rich and varied, spanning multiple disciplines. In the 1950s, he created Ptolémée II as part of a series of bronze and limestone sculptures inspired by his travels to Greece. During these journeys, he encountered the work of Claudius Ptolemy, the ancient Greco-Roman astronomer who mapped the cosmos. This intersection of exploration and artistic inspiration reflects Arp’s fascination with the natural world.
Notably, Arp began sculpting later in his career, only embracing this medium in his 40s. Prior to this shift, he co-founded the Dada movement in Zurich during the 1910s and gained recognition as a key figure in Surrealism. By the 1950s, his artistic focus had shifted, and he developed a profound appreciation for nature, mirroring Ptolemy’s own celestial observations.
Throughout his career, Arp forged creative partnerships with various influential artists, including Surrealist pioneers Max Ernst and André Breton. His collaborations extended beyond painters to encompass weavers, ceramists, and even jewelry designers. In the late 1950s, he explored jewelry design, working with renowned goldsmith François Hugo to create a small collection of unique pieces.
Sculpting Fashion: Celine’s Unique Approach
Robial noted the synergy between Arp’s sculptural techniques and Celine’s design philosophy. “Celine takes close interest in working with volume, much like artists do when sculpting in the round,” he explained. “Arp sculpted from plaster; Celine sculpts from textile.” This comparison highlights the artistic process inherent in both fashion design and sculpture, emphasizing the shared commitment to form and texture.
The Ptolémée II pendant encapsulates this artistic dialogue, offering wearers a tangible connection to Arp’s legacy while allowing them to express their individuality through fashion. The collaboration serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Arp’s work and its relevance in contemporary design.
Conclusion: Bridging Art and Fashion
Celine’s latest jewelry collection represents a significant milestone in the ongoing dialogue between art and fashion. By transforming Jean Arp’s Ptolémée II into a wearable piece, Celine not only honors the artist’s legacy but also elevates the jewelry into a realm where it transcends mere adornment. As fashion continues to embrace the principles of fine art, the lines between the two disciplines blur, creating opportunities for innovative collaborations that celebrate creativity in all its forms.
The Ptolémée II pendant is more than just an accessory; it is a wearable piece of art that invites reflection, dialogue, and appreciation for the rich history of artistic expression. As consumers increasingly seek unique, meaningful fashion pieces, the fusion of art and design promises to shape the future of the industry in profound ways.
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