Hello K-campers!
Recently I had the chance to see the Cartier exhibition called Crystallization of time taking place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. I will share with you today what the exhibition was about and why it caught my attention.
As soon as you enter this unfamiliar black room you face this big mystery clock with the two diamond block and I realized at that moment that this exhibition will be something amazing. I didn’t expected that at all but seeing all the small details in the mechanism was very impressive. Then, in the second room we got to see prism clocks, which are masterpieces showcasing Cartier's artistic vision, creativity, and technical skills. I love the poetry of these clocks conveying the enigmatic essence of time, illustrating how each moment propels us towards the future, while the present constantly becomes the past.
Another aspect that really touched me is how they combine Cartier’s piece of work with korean traditional art in the smallest details. For the first part of the exhibition, special fabric creates the illusion of glowing pillars of light descending into the earth. This effect is achieved using a weaving technique called "Ra." originated in ancient Korea during the Three Kingdoms period and thrived in the Goryeo dynasty. The woven fabric replicates the "Ra" pattern, known for its perforated and translucent qualities, similar to Western knitted textiles.
At the same time, the exposed prism clocks utilize skillful optical illusions. The clocks give the impression that their hands float on the dial without any visible connection to a mechanism, hiding the movement either in the base or behind surrounding decorations. The reflected dial becomes visibl when the clock is positioned at a specific angle directly opposite the viewer.
The exhibition continues with the first chapter called Material Transformation and Colors. We learn about how Cartier uses craftsmanship to manipulate materials and colors, resulting in the most cutting-edge designs. From platinum accentuating diamonds to unconventional materials like fossilized wood, and daring combinations of vibrant gemstones, this chapter illustrates Cartier's continuous exploration of innovative approaches in jewelry design.
The chapter 2, Forms and Designs, focuses on themes like "Essential Lines" and "Spheres" that embody natural perfection. It explores "New Architecture" integrating architectural elements into jewelry, and "Optics" showing movement visually and physically. Additionally, themes like "Harmony in Chaos" and "Beauty all Around" celebrate Cartier's quest for beauty, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources like couture and industry. In that part of the exhibition, the space constructed with stacked Oyaishi (Oya stone) blocks evoke the impression of deep gemstone mining locations, showcasing the stone's historical use in Japanese architecture due to its ease of processing, fire resistance, and rugged appearance formed by magma solidification.
