Appreciating the Exquisite Techniques of High Jewelry and Traditional Crafts

Van Cleef & Arpels, a prestigious French high jeweler, holds an exhibition focused on high jewelry annually in one country and one city. This year, Kyoto, Japan, has been chosen as the host city. Kyoto, the center of Japanese culture for over 1200 years until the Meiji Restoration, has been a stage for refined artistry. Masterpieces such as the twelve-layered robes (junihitoe), the Tsujigahana textile designs, and Noh costumes lavishly adorned with brocade (kinran) are all unparalleled treasures, born from the skill and spirit of master artisans. Van Cleef & Arpels, too, since its founding in Paris in 1906, has created original high jewelry through the exceptional craftsmanship of its "mains d'or" (golden hands).






Japan and France—The exhibition, which explores the "craftsmanship" nurtured through long histories in different lands, is structured into three sections: "The History of Van Cleef & Arpels," "Mastering Craftsmanship," and "Cultural Fusion and the Future." Architect Sou Fujimoto, who is designing the exhibition space, aims to create an environment that highlights the allure of both Van Cleef & Arpels' high jewelry and Japan's traditional crafts.

"I believe that the immense aura emanating from gorgeous high jewelry and Japanese crafts, known for their exquisite techniques, is best showcased in a space that is both simple and profound. Given that the exhibition is held in the ancient and elegant city of Kyoto, I plan to create a design that vividly presents the encounter between a Japanese aesthetic and Van Cleef & Arpels' high jewelry, incorporating a sense of depth inspired by fusuma (sliding doors) and shoji (paper screens)," says Fujimoto.




High jewelry and crafts share many commonalities in their creation process, yet they possess beauty at opposite ends of the spectrum. The differences in their visual impact are particularly significant, requiring meticulous consideration in their display.
"We need to adjust the lighting differently for the sparkling jewelry and the crafts made from delicate materials. We will make adjustments to every detail of the venue to convey the distinct charms of each piece," says Fujimoto.

This exhibition presents a collection of exquisite works from Japan and France, viewed from an unprecedented perspective. "I hope visitors will transcend conventional notions and experience Van Cleef & Arpels' high jewelry and Japanese crafts from a new viewpoint," Fujimoto concludes.

Mastering Craftsmanship—Van Cleef & Arpels High Jewelry and Japanese Crafts
Exhibition Dates | Saturday, April 29th - Sunday, August 6th
Venue | The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 (Fridays until 20:00. Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed | Mondays (Closed on June 13th and July 18th)
Admission Fees | General ¥1500, University Students ¥1100, High School Students ¥600