Van Cleef and Arpels, the renowned French High Jewellery Maison, collaborated with two exceptional artists to breathe new life into their iconic Perlée collection — celebrating the golden bead motif that has defined it since its creation in a captivating visual narrative that transcends traditional jewellery design. Arthur Hoffner, a French designer celebrated for his ingenious use of materials and form, crafted mesmerising installations that bring the essence of the Perlée collection to the forefront. His work orchestrates a ballet of shapes and colours — spheres, aluminium tubes, and marble blocks come together in a delicate balance, creating a dynamic environment where the golden beads appear to drift along multi-dimensional pathways.
The result is a joyful and playful universe that captures the brilliance and movement inherent in the collection. These displays, characterised by a harmonious interplay of pink, blue, and gold, pay homage to the golden bead motif at the heart of the Perlée collection. Van Cleef and Arpels and Hoffner also developed a captivating 3D animated film that takes the viewer on a journey through his whimsical realm, where the golden beads dance and interact in a display of light and colour.
Complementing Hoffner’s installations are the high-contrast portraits by Erik Madigan Heck, an acclaimed photographer known for his bold use of colour and graphic compositions. Heck’s modernist interpretation focuses on the iconic interplay of colour and roundness that defines the pieces. His photographs, characterised by striking graphic decors and perspective effects, reintroduce the Perlée collection within its historical context while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic.
Drawing inspiration from 1960s cut-out illustrations, Heck’s work seamlessly blends historical references with a modern twist. Through the collaborative efforts of Van Cleef and Arpels, Hoffner, and Heck, the Perlée collection is reimagined in a rich visual narrative that celebrates its golden bead motif and vibrant colours — Hoffner through physical displays and animated films, Heck through high-contrast portraits that recontextualise the collection’s historical elements.