Cartier dangles a dream: milhazes's 'aquarium' shimmers in boston
Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes, celebrated for her vibrant, kinetic canvases, has traded paint for precious stones in a dazzling collaboration with Cartier. The result? 'Aquarium,' an eight-foot-tall mobile now captivating visitors at the luxury jeweler’s Boston boutique – a testament to the evolving intersection of Art and craftsmanship.
A sculptural debut, two decades in the making
For Milhazes, whose work typically resides within the realms of painting, drawing, and collage – gracing the walls of institutions like the MoMA, the Pompidou, and the Tate Modern – 'Aquarium' marks a significant departure. “Until recently, sculpture for me was only the spatial development of an object,” she explains, underscoring the unique challenge this project presented. The piece, completed over two years in close collaboration with Cartier artisans, represents a first foray into three-dimensional form, yet retains her signature explosion of color and swirling patterns.
The mobile itself is a breathtaking cascade of 15 strands, each laden with a dazzling array of precious, semi-precious, and ornamental stones. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, opals, Akoya pearls, coral, black jade, and turquoise – a veritable jewel-filled desert, meticulously hand-picked by Milhazes. She sought not just beauty, but also a carefully calibrated dynamic, describing the finished work as having “fascinating elements dancing in the space with different rhythms.” The effect, she hopes, evokes “an aquarium from a dream world,” a brightness and vibrancy observable from both near and far.
This project is part of Cartier’s ongoing 'Art Meets Artisan' initiative, a bold move by the storied jewelry maison to invite contemporary artists to reimagine the possibilities of their materials. The program provides a unique platform for artists to explore new creative avenues, transforming unused stones into works of unexpected beauty. It’s a strategy that allows Cartier to engage with the contemporary Art world while simultaneously showcasing the impeccable skill of their artisans.
The balance, as Milhazes notes, is everything. “The right balance of colors is what makes my compositions really happen,” and this principle guided her throughout the creation of 'Aquarium.' The piece has previously graced Cartier boutiques in Miami, Paris, and New York, but its current Boston installation offers a fresh perspective on this extraordinary fusion of artistic vision and artisanal expertise. Catch 'Aquarium' on view at the Cartier boutique at 28 Newbury Street through May 17.