Thirty years after the death of legendary artist and pop culture phenomenon Andy Warhol, the ‘Time Keepers’ exhibition in London celebrates a partnership aimed at preserving Warhol’s unique artistic legacy for future generations.
Never before displayed Piaget-themed treasures from Andy Warhol’s ‘Time Capsules,’ including Piaget watches collected by the artist, were flown from Geneva and The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, and reunited for one night only at Annabel’s in London.
There are photos of soirées with Warhol sent by Yves Piaget and still in their original envelopes, as well as glossy vintage photographs of Piaget watches of the time. The watches themselves are as iconic as the wearer was: they include a secret watch concealed in a gold ingot; a watch fitted with the large Beta 21 movement; a gold bracelet watch with a precious onyx dial
This glittering ‘Time Keepers’ display of precious watches, photographs and curiosities exchanged between Warhol and Piaget formed
a backdrop for guests, including Yves G. Piaget himself, to enjoy a discussion on the life of Warhol, as well as cement a relationship that will see Piaget supporting The Andy Warhol Museum’s upcoming exhibition by Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri – himself a contemporary creator of pop art.
Yves G. Piaget and Andy Warhol first met in 1979 in New York. The artist would later invite Yves G Piaget , to appear in Interview – the groundbreaking magazine launched by Warhol a decade earlier, featuring his conversations with some of the most influential people in fashion, art, cinema and literature. Warhol himself would have to count among them, famous by then for his artistic achievements but also for a love of luxury that made Piaget’s outstanding timepieces particularly attractive to him.
Piaget CEO, Chabi Nouri, commented on the evening: “It’s an emotional night for Piaget. It’s important to share this history, this legacy between us, not only to be able to preserve it, but also because it’s important to create new memories. We want to keep creativity at the centre of what we do.”
Warhol’s ‘Time Capsules’ comprise more than 600 boxes filled with photos, letters, as well as some truly unique items of cultural interest – a plastic inflatable birthday cake signed by Yoko Ono, an invitation to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ party, and the original stencils for some of his most innovate pop artwork. Some of the Piaget-themed artefacts are fascinating too. There is the – now empty – box of intricate coin-watch shaped chocolates that Warhol was sent as a Christmas present, and characteristically striking invitations.
Stored at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the Time Capsules were Warhol’s way of freezing moments in time. According to Jose Carlos Diaz, the Chief Curator of The Andy Warhol Museum, it makes the partnership with Piaget particularly poignant:
“For both of them, time is very important, Piaget because it has a long legacy of making these beautiful watches, and Warhol, because I like to think of him also as timeless.
“I think people are going to be really excited to see these Piaget artefacts, because they probably won’t be seen for years to come. For a lot of people it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and if they want to see some of them again they might just have to come to Pittsburgh to The Andy Warhol Museum!”
About The Andy Warhol Museum
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the place of Andy Warhol’s birth, The Andy Warhol Museum holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archival materials and is one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world. The Warhol is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Additional information about The Warhol is available at www.warhol.org.
About Piaget
It was in La Côte-aux-Fées that Georges-Edouard Piaget set up his first workshop in the family farmhouse and devoted himself to producing high- precision movements. This was back in 1874 and marked the start of an ever- growing reputation. In 1943, the company took a decision that would prove crucial to its future by registering its brand name.
Faithful to its pioneering spirit, Piaget in the late 1950s set about designing and manufacturing the ultra-thin movements that would become one of the Maison’s signatures and leave a lasting impression on watchmaking.
But Piaget was also a style: a marriage of gold and an explosion of color, new shapes, precious gems, and dials made of hard stones. Carried along on the wave of extraordinary creativity driven by Yves G. Piaget, the brand’s jewelry collection grew in an original direction with a resolute emphasis on color.
Rich of more than 140 years of history, the ever-bold brand, innovated by offering jewels in motion, extravagant Haute Joaillerie collections, and incredible watches to become today one of the world’s most prestigious watchmaker-jewelers.
