Hermes takes its art seriously. A travelling collection of dioramas by Dutch artist/photographer Bethany de Forest ropes in the brand’s timepieces for starring roles.
You do not have to live in le cave to know that Hermes is one brand that’s big on art. When we mean big, we are talking about a dedicated art gallery at its Liat Towers flagship – the most recent project saw the works of Korean artist Ran Hwang wrapping up in January – and large-scale exhibitions in venues like the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the old Kallang Airport.
Its watch arm, La Montre Hermes, is not lagging in artistic vision either. From now till March 16, the brand’s Singapore boutiques at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (till March 5) and Ngee Ann City (March 7-16), are playing host to a travelling collection of dioramas (3D miniature displays) by Dutch pinhole-photographer and artist Bethany de Forest. Singapore is the third stop of the worldwide exhibit before it makes its final stop in Hawaii.
The 48-year-old Dutchwoman’s works centre around intricate Surreallist depictions of nature that employ ordinary materials which are then transformed into spectacular artworks: Think candle wax moulded into an ice palace or meat used for stained glass. Part Tim Burton and part Tim Walker, de Forest reimagined various Hermes timepieces in various environments for her project So Little Time. Among them is a set of topsy-turvy of Eiffel Towers along 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore with the Kelly and Medor models propped on the roofs of cars. There is also a cinematic scene of King Kong’s giant palms holding the the dainty Faubourg watch, set against the New York skyline.
Besides ogling at the painstaking details and admiring the wit behind each display, challenge yourself to count all the hidden surprises in each set up. Clue: Spot the frogs in the pond or the flagship Paris boutique among the lot.
