Audemars Piguet is one of the oldest watchmaking manufacturers there is. The pieces they create are exquisite, and indeed, they are works of art. Audemars Piguet is a long-standing Associate Partner of Art Basel, and they continue to support and encourage the artist’s heart they see in others.
For the 4th Audemars Piguet Art Commission, they have chosen British artist-duo Semiconductor, Ruth Jarman and Joe Gedhardt, to help bring the visions to reality. Monica Bello, curator and Head of Arts at CERN (the European Organisation for Nuclear Research) is this year’s guest curator and she will collaborate closely with the duo. Semiconductor have collaborated over the years to create masterpieces that explore the unknown and strive to make that which is unseen become visible.
Their pieces explore the material nature of our world and how we experience it – often expressed through art installations and moving image work. They ask to reconsider what we see and how what we use to see can affect our experiences.
The partnership between Semiconductor and Bello is sure to bring excellence and fascination, as they have worked together previously during their tenure in the CERN’s artist residency programme. As Bello said, “It is a great opportunity to merge our scientific and artistic expertise with crafting savoir-faire. Art and science do not work in silos and as it turns out, neither does watchmaking. “
The artist sees the talent in others and is inspired by the newness and creativity witnessed. As Olivier Audemars, Vice President of the Board of Directors, said: “We are excited to with Ruth, Joe, and Monica on yet another Audemars Piguet Art Commission. I am confident Semiconductor will bring a new level of scientific expertise to the Art Commission. It is incredible to discern the parallels between their craft and ours, one of the many reasons we continue to collaborate with artists.”
The announcement came during Art Basel in Hong Kong, another creative event that Audemars Piguet participates in. This year, they unveiled their new lounge concept from the creative mind of artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz. The concept, titled Foundations, is based on iron ore, and is a striking, innovative design. There are artworks by artist Quayola that will be on display at all three Art Basel shows this year.
