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What’s inside the Audemars Piguet VIP concept lounge at Art Basel Hong Kong?

Audemars Piguet’s latest watch design to be showcased at the AP VIP Art Basel Lounge

With Hong Kong gearing up to show its creative side, luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet is not one to pass on the chance for artistic collaboration.

An associate partner of Art Basel since 2013, the Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer has commissioned Brooklyn-based sculptural artist and designer Fernando Mastrangelo to create its latest lounge concept for Art Basel Hong Kong.

Fernando Mastrangelo in his studio

“The space for me is about the journey to the Vallée de Joux, and each part of the journey is punctuated with sculpture and furniture,” says Mastrangelo.

‘We discovered Fernando’s work during the Salone del Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair) in 2018,” says Olivier Audemars, vice-president of the board of directors at Audemars Piguet.

I want people to be compelled to touch, and feel the works, while also feeling as though they are being transported to Switzerland
Fernando Mastrangelo

“We had been totally seduced by his craftsmanship and philosophy that echo with our brand values. First, as a contemporary artist that dares to work with uncommon material in the field of traditional sculpture such as salt, sugar, corn, coffee grounds; and that creates a universe in which nature, textures and human condition are layered and interconnected.”

Olivier Audemars, vice-president of the board of directors at Audemars Piguet

A strong connection with the place where Audemars Piguet originated has played a continuous role in the watchmaker’s branding, and has become integral to its communication and DNA.

The lounge acts as an immersive new space in the Art Basel Collectors Lounge and will travel to Basel, and Miami Beach this year. The space – inspired by the Vallée de Joux – is designed to conjure up the Swiss Jura Mountains and elements of the landscape.

“We brought limestone from the Vallée de Joux, which is what is used throughout the villages to create the homes and the architecture. Using materials such as limestone or sand to create objects is what my studio is recognised for and I love to use a variety of materials to express metaphor in my works,” Mastrangelo explains.

Brooklyn-based artist Fernando Mastrangelo uses natural materials in all his works.

Five integral components – gold, brass, jadelike aventurine, sapphire glass and iron – part of the brand’s newest collection, are infused into the design, while a crushed glass chandelier is reminiscent of limestone stalactites in the Swiss Vallorbe Caves.

“Artists have the capacity to see the world from a completely different perspective and we are lucky enough to be able to witness this and learn from them, winding up with a deeper understanding of what surrounds us,” Audemars says. “What I want is to use artwork to help me think differently, but also to be exposed to different experiences – things that would surprise me,” Audemars adds.

Audemars Piguet's latest watch design, CODE 11.59, will be showcased at the AP VIP Art Basel Lounge.

Connecting with the audience is key to Mastrangelo’s work.

“I want people to be compelled to touch, and feel the works, while also feeling as though they are being transported to Switzerland,” the artist says. “I want people to wonder about the materials and the narrative, and most of all, I want to draw them into seeing the watches as works of art within this experiential lounge.”

Artists have the capacity to see the world from a completely different perspective and we are lucky enough to be able to witness this and learn from them
Olivier Audemars

The latest watch design CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet will be showcased at the AP VIP lounge at Art Basel.

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Art Basel

Designed by Brooklyn artist Fernando Mastrangelo, the space uses gold, brass, sapphire glass and iron – and will showcase the Swiss watchmaker’s new CODE 11:59 design