Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director, continues to push boundaries and make a statement with his unconventional approach to fashion. Known for his passion for art and awarded Best Designer of the Year in 2015, Michele consistently surprises the industry with ambitious initiatives. This year, he opened the Gucci ArtLab in Florence and launched the Gucci Beauty account on Instagram, which caused a stir despite not showcasing any beauty products. Now, Michele’s latest project, in collaboration with artist Maurizio Catellan, aligns with Gucci’s philosophy of using art to serve beauty.
The Yuz Museum in Shanghai has been transformed into a paradise created by Gucci and Catellan. With the goal of challenging notions of originality and creation, especially in China where the “copy is the original” doctrine originated, the artists have taken over the space. Renowned artists like Andy Hung, who uses LEGO as his primary material, have contributed to the exhibition. The museum is a beautifully decorated patchwork of individual works of art, creating a timeless aesthetic.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Marina Abramovic’s performance at the MoMA in 2010. In that performance, Abramovic sat in silence, allowing visitors to sit in front of her and see through her art. Similarly, the exhibition invites visitors to see through the artist by experiencing their art. The concepts of repetition and personal experience are prevalent throughout the exhibition, just like in luxury fashion. The same piece can evoke different reactions depending on various factors such as its pairing, the person wearing it, the occasion, and even the observer themselves.
With an extravagant and diverse universe, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through different settings, from a Zen garden to baroque interiors and coldly lit rooms. Each artist has the freedom to choose how they utilize their space, adding to the unique experience of the exhibition.
Michele and Catellan organized this exhibition not only to showcase the artists involved but also to question reality and our perception of it. Like the Gucci brand itself, the exhibition challenges norms and boundaries. It serves as a reflection on our reality, encouraging viewers to reconsider their perspectives.
Useful links:
– [Gucci ArtLab](https://www.gucci.com/us/en/st/stories/article/understanding-gucci-artlab)
– [Gucci Beauty Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/guccibeauty/)
