thousands of centuries. “It’s really amazing how the craftsmanship is so
similar to jewellery,” Boscaini says. “The detail is so sophisticated.”
From weapons and talismans, we move to more contemporary pieces
by artists such as Alexander Calder, Niki de Saint Phalle, Heri Dono,
Joan Miró, Philip Taaff e and Joana Vasconcelos. The snakes slither their
way into Medusa-inspired paintings, and more playful pop-art drawings
and sculptures. The work of French-American Saint Phalle in particular
illustrates how the snake, which typically represents sinister, monstrous
elements, can be transformed into something innocent and joyful – a
practice that helped the late artist recover from personal tragedy and
devastating depression.
But Bvlgari didn’t stop at existing works by world-famous and
well-established artists. Babin and Boscaini also enlisted Chinese artists
to create their own depictions of the snake. Sun Hao and Chengdu artist
Yang Miang made pieces specially for the exhibition, adding to a number
of pieces curated by the consultancy Tianchen Times.
Having travelled through time and space with the serpent in all its
many forms, we arrive at the fi nal hall and its theatre and opera
costumes, vintage evening dresses and fashion photography. The
eye-catching display is meant to illustrate a modern and more personal
perspective on the snake and its role as a woman’s means of seduction.
“I think we’re now in a historical moment where we don’t learn
anymore by just reading. We have so many diff erent media around us
and everything’s moving so fast. So that’s why I tried in this exhibition,
like in the others, to introduce an element of emotion,” Boscaini says.
“The exhibitions we try to build are very immersive, including the music
and the images, because we try to off er something that’s beyond the
rational learning that you can experience at a regular exhibition. I think
it’s more contemporary because it helps people of all backgrounds, and
maybe you don’t remember the year a certain artwork was created, but
you can enjoy its beauty.”
TIPPING
THE SCALES
BVLGARI CELEBRATES THE MANY INSPIRING
MOTIFS OF THE SERPENTWhether it’s a bracelet that curls up the arm or a
snake’s head adorning a handbag clasp, serpent
imagery has become indelibly associated with the
Bvlgari brand. “There’s no real meaning in terms of
the values it symbolises; for us, it’s more an aesthetic
source of inspiration,” says Lucia Boscaini of the
snake motif. “But then it’s also a challenge in terms
of craftsmanship.”
Indeed, the Serpenti collection originated from
the secret watch developed soon after World War II,
and that featured the innovative Tubogas technique
inspired by gas piping. The sleek, fl exible band was
an immediate success and went to inspire further
interpretations, especially with the arrival of CEO
Jean-Christophe Babin in 2013.
“Serpenti was really the restart of high jewellery for
Bvlgari, but we also saw potential for more accessible
items such as pendants and rings and different
representations of the snake, not only literal ones
like the animal wrapping around the wrist but also
elements like the skin itself,” he says. “We really tried
to express the snake creatively in different ways and
addressing different price points.”
f h d l h d
M h l f h S t
e h b l d d
a h l h f h fiStatue of Young
Hercules with Snakes
(160 — 180AD)Many of these creations are on display at Chengdu
Museum, at the close of the SerpentiForm art
exhibition, including contemporary pieces and
archival items on show for the fi rst time.SerpentiForm runs until Aug 25. Visit serpentiform.bulgari.com for an augmented-
reality experience and to discover a hidden digital artwork.
From top: Serpenti
bracelet-watch in gold with
polychrome enamel and
fancy yellow diamonds, circa
1967; Melone evening bag
in three-colour gold with
diamond, circa 1978#prestigeinsight | JULY 2019 PRESTIGE 155