The Shanghai Museum, in collaboration with Cartier and supported by the Sino-French Cultural Spring Art Festival, presents Cartier, the Power of Magic, an exhibition showcasing a cultural dialogue between Cartier’s high jewelry pieces and ancient Chinese artworks. Running at Shanghai Museum East until February 17th, 2025, the exhibition features over 300 works from the Cartier Collection and nearly 40 Chinese heritage pieces, inviting visitors to explore the connections between jewelry and cultural heritage.
The exhibition design, developed with input from renowned Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, integrates AI-generated scenography to create an immersive environment. Inspired by traditional Chinese courtyards, the exhibition space is decorated with silk projections and layered lighting, resembling drifting clouds over a lake, drawing from the work of Yuan dynasty artist Ni Zan.
Highlights from Cartier include iconic creations such as Jean Cocteau’s academician sword and tiaras worn by European royalty, while Chinese artifacts demonstrate intricate techniques, like the use of kingfisher feathers in metalwork. The exhibition also celebrates Cartier’s collection of desk clocks and cigar boxes, many incorporating ancient Chinese techniques like tian-tsui and laque burgauté.
This show marks the second collaboration between Cartier and the Shanghai Museum since their initial exhibition in 2004, showcasing the ongoing cross-cultural exchange between French and Chinese art.
