"A Quest for BEAUTY:
The Art of VAN CLEEF & ARPELS"
at
THE BOWERS MUSEUM
October 27 th 2013 through to February 15 th 2014
2002 N Main St. Santa Ana CA 92706 714 567 3600
Tues - Sun 10 am to 4 pm
A rare look inside the history of an extremely well known
Jewelry House of Paris France: Van Cleef & Arpels. Famous
for creating one of a kind, made to order, extravagance.
Many on view here in America for the very first time.
An exhibition of Iconic functional art worn by some of
the most gifted and notoriously glamourous women on
the stage, in film and the world of fashion. Including
Princess Grace, Liz Taylor, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline
Onassis, Maria Callas and Princess Soraya, to name a few.
The BOWERS Museum has really come a long way since
it' s original inception and specifically over the past ten
years. What was once a quaint little community space
for art is now a relatively world class institute of fine art.
This particular exhibition is indeed the jewel in the crown.
One might have expected this show to be placed at The
LA County, Norton Simon or The Getty. It has the flair of
a Smithsonian Institute type of cultural exchange exhibit.
A wide variety of styles and time periods: rings, bracelets,
watches, hand bags, tiaras, necklaces and even a crown.
Many assembled here for the first time in one entire exhibit.
The Bowers also has plenty of other works in their current
collection: paintings, sculpture and a lovely courtyard and
even a nice little restaurant. It is an expansive Museum
with incredibly high ceilings, large rooms and an architectural
layout full of natural light, world class to be sure. There is a
story behind just about every peice in the show. With original
works from the Nineteen Twenties through to the present time.
Inspiration culled from playful animal images to classic diamond
inlaid works of a royal variety.
Van Cleef & Arpels is an austere House of Jewelry with a storied
past. Not unlike another famous Parisian house of influence:
Chanel. Founded by Estelle Arpels and her husband Alfred
Van Cleef, with contributions by other family members through
the years. The Art Deco pieces of the Nineteen Twenties are
especially impressive. Employing diamonds and platinum, onyx
and sapphire, rubies and pearls.
The Bretzel & Tulle necklaces all have a timeless quality. Also
on view are plenty of brassy styles from the 1970's, bold, iconic
with a culturally diverse group of influences, specifically Chinese
and Egyptian. Known for it' s 'Mystery Settings', which was
actually patented in 1933 as a special technique that is a mix
between, high art, sculpture and jewelry. It allows the work to
float without actually viewing the setting of the stones. Thus
the mystery.
The exhibit, which will stay in Santa Ana at the Bowers Museum
until mid February 2014, comes with a lush publication chronicling
the history of Van Cleef & Arpels and the works exhibited with
essays from Vincent Meylan, Marion Fasel, Janet Zapata & Timothy
Adams: All professionals in the world of Art, Jewelry and the like.
From 1895 with the wedding of Arpel and Van Cleef and into the
current time, this timeless house of handcrafted jewelry is a rare
and culturally momentous occasion for both Paris and Southern
California. If 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend …', then this may
be a good time to take a 'best friend' to the Bowers sometime
between now and next Valentines day. Or stop by one of the
many Van Cleef & Arpels Stores and enjoy the current catalogue.
Look for upcoming reviews in our Fashion Section on Van Cleef
& Arpels line of perfumes, cologne and accessories of all sorts.
AS WELL AS AN EXCLUSIVE AUDIO INTERVIEW On The BUREAU site.
Reviewed by Joshua TRILIEGI for
BUREAU of Arts and Culture Magazine
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