{"id":1951,"date":"2025-06-06T20:17:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T03:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1951"},"modified":"2025-06-06T20:17:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T03:17:26","slug":"the-met-and-vacheron-constantin-reveal-winners-of-artisan-residency-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1951","title":{"rendered":"The Met and Vacheron Constantin Reveal Winners of Artisan Residency Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\tVacheron Constantin and The Metropolitan Museum of Art introduced the winners of their Artisan Residency program Thursday in New York.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Met\u2019s Marina Kellen French director and chief executive officer Max Hollein, Vacheron Constantin America\u2019s president Alexander Schmiedt, Vacheron Constantin\u2019s creative director Volker Gehr and The Met\u2019s Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose chair of education Heidi Holder spoke at a press event in the Upper East Side museum.<\/p>\n

\n\tHaving started to work together about two years ago, Hollein described the alliance with Vacheron Constantin as a partnership \u201cof support to create together things that really matter\u201d and that are engrained in their respective DNAs, which include the preservation of culture, cultural skills, artistry and excellence in execution. The Artisan Residency programs focus on the preservation and reinterpretation of traditional crafts and art. \u201cWe are hopefully going to be bringing some very important and beautiful products into the world. We are creating a platform for the development of them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n\tInterestingly, the three artisans are not working in watchmaking in any shape or form. Each was chosen for their technical skills and artistic innovation and are embarking on an 18-month program of research, creation and engagement that will be bridged between New York and Switzerland. The finalists are Aspen Golann, an American furniture maker; Joy Harvey, an Italian jeweler and Ibrahaim Said, an Egyptian ceramicist.<\/p>\n

\n\tGolann, who teaches furniture at the Rhode Island School of Design, trained in traditional woodworking crafts of the 17th to 19th centuries and creates contemporary takes on American furniture. She is also known to choose the trees that she will harvest for her work. Harvey blends Florentine goldsmithing and Armenian techniques. Based in Fustat, an area of Cairo that has been known for its ceramics since the Islamic conquest in the 7th century AD, he uses boundary-pushing techniques.<\/p>\n

\n\tHollein noted that when The Met was founded well over 150 years ago, one of the incentives was to support artists and the new initiative does that in \u201ca profound way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFrom the beginning of its connection with The Met, the Swiss company was intent on \u201cbeing more than a sponsor,\u201d Schmiedt said. For starters, they teamed up for \u201cMasterpiece on Your Wrist,\u201d bespoke watches with miniaturized reproductions of work from The Met that were introduced in 2024.<\/p>\n

\n\tSchmiedt spoke of Vacheron Constantin\u2019s heritage of being dedicated to art and culture, craftsmanship and traditional innovation. As a sign of its commitment to mentorship, the company\u2019s annual celebration is held on Sept. 17, when founder Jean-Marc Vacheron signed his first apprentice and the original document in its Geneva offices, he said. Now that the luxury watchmaker is in its 270th year, Schmiedt said, \u201cJust because you\u2019re old doesn\u2019t mean anything. The theme of our anniversary is our quest for excellence. That we have been able to stay relevant across four centuries makes for the perfect moment to launch this Artisan Residency program.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Vacheron<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>

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\t\t\t\t\tFinalists will also travel to Vacheron Constantin\u2019s offices in Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto Courtesy Vacheron<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tWhile having the artistic element and the craftsmanship element is always important for artists, Schmiedt said the trio, despite working in different areas, share \u201cexactly the same spirit and to a certain extent the same madness of doing things today that no one else is doing any more.\u201d He said, \u201cWe do it with our watches and these guys do it in their respective areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tHaving been asked if Vacheron Constantin is looking to recruit the artists to make dials on its watches, he said, \u201cNo, that is not the main objective \u2014 not at all. But it might happen sometime. But it\u2019s not a recruiting tool for new artists.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThere also aren\u2019t any plans for them to develop any commercial merchandise that will be sold through The Met. While there are plenty of artist residencies, Holder noted how theirs is rooted in resources and preserving traditional crafts. Hollein offered how there is also a great deal of technical knowledge that The Met can share, as well as Vacheron Constantin. \u201cThink about our conservation labs. We have the leading experts in the world here for objects conservation in all types of materials \u2014 wood, stone, of course paintings, textiles, etc.,\u201d Hollein said. \u201cWhatever you are embarking on as an artist here you will find not only objects that can be inspirational, but also very knowledgeable conservators, who have been trained with materials. We want to open up that human resource to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tApplicants\u2019 proposals weren\u2019t the only criteria for the finalists. Technical skills and virtuosity, a track record for having the ability to complete projects and artistic merit were also considered to whittle down the pool of candidates to about six for the first cut. In-person meetings helped to mine the final three.<\/p>\n

\n\tNot new to residency programs, The Met knows what is required to work with artists and the importance of being able to get along, to be personable and to develop relationships. \u201cThis is not Rembrandt, who is dead, and you can hang it wherever you like. You have to be able to work with these people, and they have to be able to work with you,\u201d Holder said with a laugh. \u201cSo we love Rembrandt shows, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Aspen<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>

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\t\t\t\t\tAspen Golann, Ibrahaim Said and Joy Harvey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto Courtesy<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tDuring their 18-month residency, they will embark on three phases \u2014 research at The Met (which houses 1.5 million objects) and at Vacheron Constantin\u2019s Maison in Switzerland, as well as creating and public engagement.\u00a0They were selected from a field of about 100 applicants from across the world, who were critiqued by a jury comprised of artists, architects, curators, educators and conservators. Holder said the project might seem obvious, but \u201clike a good novel, it\u2019s only obvious at the end. This is the kind of project that really makes sense for institutions likes ours. It\u2019s a natural output of both of our interests and is part of what we already do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tCreative director Volker Gehr explained how Jean-Marc Vacheron was later joined by the business-minded Francois Constantin and how the company\u2019s credo, \u201cDo better, if possible, and that is always possible,\u201d carries on today. Acknowledging how being the oldest watchmaker in continuous operation could result in a narrative that could focus on the past, Gehr emphasized how today is increasingly becoming important that even the oldest brands have a relevancy, strength and position in society. Therefore, the residency \u201cis a unique way of showing generosity, and transmitting such values as traditional techniques and craftsmanship very much seems to make sense for us,\u201d Gehr said.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>

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\t\t\t\t\tThe Met\u2019s Great Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto Courtesy<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tDescribing the residency as \u201can incredible opportunity,\u201d Harvey said, \u201cresidencies really give you the freedom to create what you want to. As artisans, we usually are asked to create something that has a specific purpose and price. In this case, Vacheron has given us the complete freedom to create something new and innovative.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFor Harvey, that crowning moment will result in one thing \u2014 \u201ca diadem,\u201d as in a tiara.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vacheron Constantin and The Metropolitan Museum of Art introduced the winners of their Artisan Residency program Thursday in New York. The Met\u2019s Marina Kellen French director and chief executive officer Max Hollein, Vacheron Constantin America\u2019s president Alexander Schmiedt, Vacheron Constantin\u2019s creative director Volker Gehr and The Met\u2019s Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose chair of education Heidi Holder spoke at a press event in the Upper East Side museum. Having started to work together about two years ago, Hollein described the alliance with Vacheron Constantin as a partnership \u201cof support to create together things that really matter\u201d and that are engrained in their respective DNAs, which include the preservation of culture, cultural skills, artistry and excellence in execution. The Artisan Residency programs focus on the preservation and reinterpretation of traditional crafts and art. \u201cWe are hopefully going to be bringing some very important and beautiful products into the world. We are creating a platform for the development of them,\u201d he said. Interestingly, the three artisans are not working in watchmaking in any shape or form. Each was chosen for their technical skills and artistic innovation and are embarking on an 18-month program of research, creation and engagement that will be bridged between New York and Switzerland. The finalists are Aspen Golann, an American furniture maker; Joy Harvey, an Italian jeweler and Ibrahaim Said, an Egyptian ceramicist. Golann, who teaches furniture at the Rhode Island School of Design, trained in traditional woodworking crafts of the 17th to 19th centuries and creates contemporary takes on American furniture. She is also known to choose the trees that she will harvest for her work. Harvey blends Florentine goldsmithing and Armenian techniques. Based in Fustat, an area of Cairo that has been known for its ceramics since the Islamic conquest in the 7th century AD, he uses boundary-pushing techniques. Hollein noted that when T…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1951"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1951"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1951\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}