My relation to Art is fundamental in all the aspects of my life, be it personal or professional. My eyes always seek beauty in every element I can encounter, in the architecture of a building, an intricate fabric, an elegant dress, a crafted piece of furniture, a painting, a sculpture, an opera or simply walking through a beautiful garden. As a jeweler, art is the main source of inspiration within my creative journey. The various emotions that it arouses in my soul drive and nurture my creativity. It is through the constant observation of art, in all its forms, that one can learn, educate oneself and develop its taste. Art is what guides us in our own journey to beauty. Ultimately, a good creative will end up challenging itself, reaching out to new and unchartered territories when confronted with art and the emotions that it instills in its soul. My personal taste in art is quite eclectic and does not get confined to a limited sphere. Wherever I see beauty, I see art, and vice versa. More importantly, I truly believe that art and aesthetics have an important component: they constitute a language of optimism in an often hard and challenging life.
“MY PERSONAL TASTE IN ART IS QUITE ECLECTIC AND DOES NOT GET CONFINED TO A LIMITED SPHERE. WHEREVER I SEE BEAUTY, I SEE ART, AND VICE VERSA”
I believe architecture to be one one of the finest expressions of art. It deals with very hard and stiff materials, yet when you actually see a certain landmark building, you cannot help but wonder how that was made possible. The torsions and the movements displayed by architectural landmark buildings are mind boggling, like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or a Santiago Calatrava bridge. All of this is made possible by both human creative genius and the formidable power of technology and new materials.
I have selected the Pyramide du Louvre for its wonderful contrast between modernity and its reference to ancient times, through the language of art and architecture. I think that Pei’s genius rests in his capacity to project himself into the future while dwelling in the heart of antiquity within the Louvre palace. Let us not forget that the original pyramids date back to very ancient times.
As for my choice of the Taj Mahal, this mausoleum is surely one of the most beautiful Islamic and Mughal monuments ever created, displaying the extreme refinement and intricacy these civilizations have been capable of bringing to the world. The art of inlay so masterfully depicted on the marble panels in the Taj Mahal has in fact been a central inspiration for our own jewellery inlay works.
I have also selected a staircase located in the Netherlands ministry of economic affairs, shot by photographer Josef Stuefer. The powerful movement of the railing coupled with the artistic composition of the photography itself is incredible.
I have chosen Yves Klein’s blue painting for the power that his blue instills in one’s soul. Maybe it is because deep inside me I have a colourful personality, so I relate so strongly to this innovative and powerful color Klein has introduced.
African Art is at the very base of contemporary art. From a very early period I have been attracted to this art. I remain puzzled at how those artists with very little means were capable of depicting and crafting extremely contemporary figures with their ritual and feast objects.
I am very attracted and inspired by the magic, glamour and elegance that haute couture can bring into our lives. Haute couture has the merit of transposing the woman into the limits of dreams. I love the energy that designers put into the details, embroideries and fabrics of their creations.
I have chosen this picture of a dress from haute couture designer Stephane Rolland during the October launch event of our high jewellery Silk collection in London. Stephane is a designer with whom we share a common creative vision. In this dress we can see the elaborate details of his motifs with those silk and golden threads woven in the material.
In Lebanon we are blessed to have so many creative designers that have emerged and set themselves among the best talents in the world, and this is a great pride for all Lebanese and Middle Eastern people around the world.
I have chosen an Art Nouveau 1905 brooch by Lienard showing an exquisite moonstone carved into a woman’s face and a 1925 Art Deco clock by Lacloche. The inner panel depicts a beautiful scenery made of several shades of mother-of-pearl with engraved gold. Both pieces are part of the Boghossian private collection.
As for jewelry, I have chosen a set that is part of our latest high jewellery collection, Silk, which launched in October in London. The bracelet, a Mughal-inspired design that we named Samarkand for the beauty of this majestic city on the Silk Road, shows a mosaic of specially cut turquoise, diamond inlaid into a coral flower and lapis lazulis motifs. This jewelry piece stretched the boundaries of our lapidary’s art, with rows of lapis and coral flowing as smoothly as the paint from a master’s brush. The common thread line between these three creations is the intricacy, refinement and extreme complication required to achieve such beautiful works of art.
Art Deco, contemporary designers and furniture makers also have their share of influence on the global artistic scene.
Here, I have selected two private objects from my home: a 1925 exquisite butterfly light applique by Rateau made of glass pearls, alabaster and iron, and a very recent 2016 modern walnut sofa by Vladimir Kagan. Looking at this sofa one would almost wonder if it is a sculpture. Both pieces were chosen for the beauty and aesthetics that they project.
For almost 30 years, gardens have had a significant place in my life. It is through gardens that I find my own peace of mind and harmony. They are also a constant source of inspiration in the art world: Van Gogh and Monet found it there. Gardens help me find an inner balance in an often stressful life.
I especially love Japanese and Korean gardens for the way they are conceived. Often in a small limited space, those gardens are extremely well thought out to create the perfect balance, beauty and harmony, resembling a piece of heaven and incorporating different components, including unusually shaped rocks and trees, with ponds and stepping stones adorning the whole.
Both pictures I chose depict how an artistic vision can be interpreted within a garden and a decorative vegetation wall.
A VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN PRINT IN SELECTIONS #47, PAGES 173 – 188 AND LIMITED EDITION #50, PAGES 156 – 169