Audemars Piguet Hosts a Dinner of Art and Surprises at Art Basel 2017 -

Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacture Audemars Piguet announced during a dinner at Art Basel in Basel 2017 that Lars Jan will be the 3rd artist selected for the Audemars Piguet Art Commission. The honor was a given to the young man known for his work as a designer, activist, photographer, writer and visual artist. He is also the founder of Early Morning Opera, a genre-defining performance art lab that reflects his activist background. Founded in 2014, the Audemars Piguet Art Commission supports artists into creating contemporary pieces to show in its Art Basel editions in Basel, Hong Kong and Miami Beach. Overseen by guest curator Kathleen Forde and an international advisory board, the commission allows artists to use “the necessary resources” and “access advanced tools, craft expertise, or sophisticated technology to realize important new creative projects.” The artwork will be presented this December at Audemars Piguet’s Art Basel in Miami.

During the sit down dinner, Audemars Piguet Vice-Chairman of the Board Olivier Audemars was excited to share to media guests and friend’s other art collaborations with the Swiss timepiece company. He announced that they are continuing their relationship with Chilean Artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz on their concept booths for the Collector’s Lounge. This year, Errazuriz built a space reflective of the forests at Vallée de Joux, where the manufacture is located. A large sculpture of a tree made out of wood is the centrepiece of the modern space inspired by nature. Additionally, Cheng Ran created a video installation entitled Circadian Rhythm shown at the lounge featuring a visual journey through the heart of watchmaking.


“Artsits and artisans are close cousins, the only difference between us is that we see things differently. And that’s why Audemars Piguet is so grateful to be able to collaborate with people like Sebastian, Cheng Ran and Lars. Thanks to them we are able to rediscover our origins and learn from each other through different points of view,” shared Olivier Audemars over a toast to honor his collaborators during dinner. The dining space was a work of art in itself, featuring electrically lit pieces shaped like branches of a tree. Chairwoman of the Board Jasmine Audemars was present for the joyous occasion, as was HeK (House of Electronic Art, Basel) Director Sabine Himmelsbach who also sits as a member of Audemars Piguet’s advisory council.

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