Hermes Wanderland
If you're planning to visit our London Spring Fair in Chelsea this month, the exhibition 'Hermes Wanderland' has just opened at the Saatchi gallery - off the King's Road and a short walk away from The Chelsea Old Town Hall, where our fair will be.
A collection of Emile Hermes' possessions (1835–1919, son of Hermes brand founder) along with the 19th century concept of a 'flaneur' are at the core of the show. This 'immersive exhibition' includes over 30,000 artefacts, displayed in an elaborately staged Surrealist world. There are floorboards that talk back when stepped on, letters (fake) addressed to Virginia Woolf, upside down lampshades and elephants stuffed into shop windows.
The archive and history of Hermes would be interesting enough, but given that this show is so highly curated (by a huge quantity of people, including a scenographer and eight artists) and, whilst examining the concept of the flaneur, is apparently declaring 'The Future is Digital', it will be interesting to see how this message is actually articulated and how it correlates with Hermes' current output. Furthermore, whether it reads overall as an art exhibit, show room or the unexpected manifesto by a hugely respected luxury goods brand. Regardless, it is sure to be a visual marvel to anyone remotely interested in set design or theatrical installations.
A collection of Emile Hermes' possessions (1835–1919, son of Hermes brand founder) along with the 19th century concept of a 'flaneur' are at the core of the show. This 'immersive exhibition' includes over 30,000 artefacts, displayed in an elaborately staged Surrealist world. There are floorboards that talk back when stepped on, letters (fake) addressed to Virginia Woolf, upside down lampshades and elephants stuffed into shop windows.
The archive and history of Hermes would be interesting enough, but given that this show is so highly curated (by a huge quantity of people, including a scenographer and eight artists) and, whilst examining the concept of the flaneur, is apparently declaring 'The Future is Digital', it will be interesting to see how this message is actually articulated and how it correlates with Hermes' current output. Furthermore, whether it reads overall as an art exhibit, show room or the unexpected manifesto by a hugely respected luxury goods brand. Regardless, it is sure to be a visual marvel to anyone remotely interested in set design or theatrical installations.
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If you're coming to our fair in Chelsea on the 25th April, it will be worth popping up the road to look into this unusual exhibition - perhaps the polar opposite to the Saatchi Gallery's famous and extremely minimal oil slick piece.
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Find beautifully made leather bags and wallets from Doe Handcrafted and silk Scarves from Kope London at our fair.
Selvedge Spring Fair, 25 April, Sat 11-5
Chelsea Old Town Hall
King's Road, London, SW3 5EE
www.selvedge.org