September 14th, 2023, Dubai, The Gate Building, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – Bulgari unveils the Bulgari Serpenti 75 Years of Infinite Tales exhibition, exploring the eternal allure of its icon where jewelry and contemporary art blend to give life to a new chapter of the Serpenti evolution.
Open to the public from September 15th to 24th; visitors will embark on a journey discovering the close connection between Bulgari Serpenti creations and the world of art, enhancing the fusion between the powerful icon and contemporary art.
Since ancient times, the snake has captured the imagination from East to West, inspiring numerous artists, writers, and poets. Bulgari debuted its first Serpenti creation in 1948; over the decades, the icon successfully interpreted the spirit of every age through constant renewal but always faithful to its original essence.
“For 75 years, the emblematic Serpenti sign has represented Bulgari’s unique design with audacity and contemporary vision. It draws inspiration from the past in the era of Cleopatra and has become the protagonist of a wonderful tale that continues today, made of creativity, excellent craftsmanship, and modern spirit. It has been able to stand by the women who have worn it, enhancing their personality. We are happy to be able to celebrate this Icon so dear to the Brand with the Serpenti Factory in Dubai, marking the first exhibition of its kind in the Middle East”.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Serpenti, Bulgari has launched Serpenti Factory, an artistic initiative focusing on the snake as an endless source of creative production, drawing on the imagery of the icon to discover how the inspirations, symbols, techniques, and archives of the Maison continue to influence the inexhaustible creativity and craftsmanship of Serpenti.
THE SERPENTI FACTORY
The Serpenti Factory embraces many territories that are part of the icon’s identity, from heritage to craftsmanship, from multisensory technologies to the new campaign celebrating the 75th anniversary of the icon connecting past, present, and future.
A selection of the most iconic Serpenti creations from the Bulgari Heritage collection will be on display, explaining how these pieces have combined the Maison’s heritage, creative designs, and unparalleled craftsmanship throughout the 75-year evolution of the sign. With exceptional mastery of colors and shapes, Bulgari has applied extraordinary craftsmanship to gorgeous jewelry and materials, developing a mesmerizing new take on the ancient symbol.
For the occasion three local artists have been called upon to give their interpretations of the Serpenti emblem, illustrating the eclectic nature of the icon. Within the Factory, it will be possible to see their personal expression and narrative creations imagined by Dr. Azra Khamissa, Dr. Afra Atiq, and Azza Al Qubaisi.
Dr. Azra Khamissa, a henna artist and designer, draws inspiration from the resilience of Bedouins for her collaboration with Bulgari on the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Serpenti. She sees a parallel between their adaptability and the serpent’s survival in harsh conditions.
She uses natural henna as her chosen medium, connecting with generations and cultures, often featuring nature as a backdrop to appreciate Allah’s creation. She hopes that her art speaks to people in unique ways, evoking emotions and connections.
The artwork reflects the rich local culture, heritage, and aesthetics of the SWANA region, where henna traditions are deeply cherished, invoking memories of family and special occasions. Viewers should pay attention to the details in the backgrounds and the stunning UAE landscapes, hoping to inspire exploration and reflection on the perfection of God’s creation.
Dr. Afra Atiq is an Emirati spoken word poet born in the United Arab Emirates to an Emirati father and a Japanese-American mother. She co-founded the Untitled Chapters, a collective of female Emirati writers. In 2015, she was named the “Best Performer” by Rooftop Rhythms and won the Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation Creativity award for her poem “An Open Letter to Cancer” in 2017.
This poem draws inspiration from Bulgari’s Serpenti Viper necklace, Serpenti Tubogas watch, and Serpenti bracelet, which often feature winding and curved elements.
“As a poet, I aimed to capture these elements that start and end with the same sentiment. The poem pays homage to continuity, taking snake imagery and metaphors in a fresh direction, particularly focusing on the shedding of snakeskin. It centers on personal growth, akin to snakes outgrowing their old skin. The poem translates this concept into a celebration of personal growth and the journey of self-discovery. It’s about finding your way back to yourself regardless of circumstances, much like Serpenti designs.
The poem seeks to inspire and empower, drawing on Serpenti’s themes of timelessness and graceful power. It incorporates elements of local culture through Arabic language use. Additionally, it builds metaphors around craftsmanship, reflecting Bulgari’s renowned artistry.”
Azza Al Qubaisi is a Jewellery designer and sculpture artist popularly known in the UAE. With a distinctive focus on local materials, sustainable practices, and traditional techniques, she contributes to the art world and celebrates the rich heritage of the UAE. Al Qubaisi’s work is a testament to her commitment to preserving the essence of her culture and heritage.
Her work is strongly connected to her homeland as she draws inspiration from the natural landscape of the UAE, incorporating elements like the shapes, patterns, and textures of the desert into her pieces. Crafted from various materials such as gold, silver, palm fronds, mild steel, and stainless steel, this medium diversity highlights her versatile artistic skills and willingness to experiment and innovate. Her art encapsulates the aesthetic aspects of her culture and the technical skills passed down through generations. By incorporating these techniques into her contemporary creations, she ensures they continue thriving in the modern world.
For the Bulgari Serpenti 75th-anniversary collaboration, she draws inspiration from Nature, capturing movement and environment rather than the serpent itself. This approach allows to reinforce the interpretation and storytelling.
” By translating serpents’ grace and dunes’ allure into art, I weave the past and present. My art mirrors the essence of nature, depicting movement, transformation, and continuity, reflecting cultural evolution.
Regarding my medium, I’ve chosen mild steel for its earthy, rusty effect, symbolizing time’s passage, growth, and change, aligning with the serpent’s shedding symbolism. Stainless steel’s reflective properties mimic snake scales and dunes’ light play, symbolizing elegance, purity, and sophistication.”
SERPENTI BY REFIK ANADOL
From Milan’s central Piazza Duomo to London’s famed Saatchi Gallery, and Madrid Thyssen Museum Serpenti by Refik Anadol has touched down in DIFC, one of Dubai’s most iconic art destinations.
Born from an innovative combination of art and technology, the installation is a multimedia artwork generated by artificial intelligence resulting from algorithms trained with 200 million images of nature. Interpreting the concept of metamorphosis as the change from one form to another, the award-winning media artist and director Anadol transforms nature into data and data into abstract, poetic images.
The immersive experience combines the installation with a curated selection of Serpenti creations from the Bulgari Heritage collection and the Maison’s historical archives.
THE TALE CONTINUES, INTRODUCING NEW SERPENTI HIGH JEWLERY CREATIONS
Marking a new chapter in the evolution of Serpenti, 5 exclusive High Jewelry creations pay tribute to the icon’s 75th anniversary. The ingenious fusion of Bulgari’s Italian art of living and distinctive aesthetic results in timeless creations with sweeping charisma that remain unchanged despite their infinite evolution.
As if emerged from the petals of a mystical rose, the Crimson Rose Serpenti Necklace, paired with a matching ring and bracelet, exudes an aura of passion and transformation. In these High Jewelry pieces, Bulgari’s timeless serpent motif gracefully evolves embodying the fiery passion that burns within every heart, beautifully showcased by the striking central spinel.
Set in the serpent’s crown of the necklace, a 16.62-carat pink spinel from Tajikistan takes center stage, while the delicate rose gold “scales” of its mesmerizing coiled body shimmer with mother-of-pearl and pink tourmalines (for a total of 9.6 ct). The dance of color and light is accentuated by the skillful use of 39.49-carat pavé diamonds. Adding a touch of contrast, two emerald eyes unify the composition’s harmony.
The Crismon Rose Serpenti Bangle in rose gold is adorned with 8.86 carats of pavé-set diamonds, mother-of-pearl elements, and 28 fancy tourmalines, creating the texture of exquisite “scales.” Here a captivating oval spinel of 9.50 carats creates a hypnotizing focal point. Two fancy emeralds further enhance the color contrast as the serpent’s eyes. With its wrap-around design, the bracelet rests delicately on the wrist, exuding elegance with every movement.
Finally, the matching ring elegantly coils around the finger with magnetic emerald eyes. At its center lies an enchanting round spinel of 3.71 carats, gracefully accompanied by tourmalines, mother-of-pearl elements, and pavé diamonds.
TREE OF LIFE SERPENTI
In a mesmerizing display of artisanship, the Tree of Life Serpenti necklace, adorned with a medley of emeralds and diamonds, evokes the shimmering greens of the mystical animal winding through the trees.
The serpent’s fascination is immortalized in an openwork design set in rose gold, adorned with 27 pear-shaped emeralds, totaling 15.57 carats. Accompanied by 24 pear diamonds (8.16 ct), 45 fancy step-cut diamonds (3.99 ct), and pavé-set diamonds (10.03 ct), this exquisite High Jewelry piece creates an interplay of color and light reminiscent of sunshine streaming through the rainforest.
POLARIS SERPENTI
Crafted in white gold, the Polaris Serpenti High Jewelry Serpenti necklace is crowned with a brilliant-cut diamond of 3.55 carats while its blue sapphire eyes glisten with wisdom, creating a captivating contrast. Here the Maison’s masterful artistry is revealed in the articulated “scales,” embellished with 163 step-cut diamonds totalling 9.81 carats, and 22.62 carats of pavé-set diamonds. Embodying the timeless mystique of the serpent, this lithe and sinuous, coiled design graces the neck in a mesmerizing celestial dance.
