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