Located at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai, Gucci Cosmos, an awe-inspiring exhibition, delves into the heart of Gucci’s history, celebrating its Florentine origins and showcasing its boundless creativity. Open until June 25th, Gucci Cosmos offers a unique perspective on the House’s most unforgettable designs, many of which have never been seen before.
Designed by acclaimed British contemporary artist Es Devlin and curated by renowned Italian fashion theorist Maria Luisa Frisa, Gucci Cosmos is an impressive showcase consisting of eight distinct “worlds“. Each world unveils treasures from the Gucci Archive, which is housed within the historic 15th-century Palazzo Settimanni in Florence. In Devlin’s words, the exhibition reflects the House’s ability to “evolve and expand on the mutability of our own consciousness and ability to make cognitive shifts“. Frisa describes the project as an “extraordinary opportunity” to explore Gucci’s universe and tell its story through various lenses, emphasizing the brand’s status as an “iconic trailblazer within fashion and collective visual culture for over a century“.
The exhibition begins with the world of “Portals”, illustrating the story of Gucci’s founder, Guccio Gucci, through three circular carousels that display the brand’s most exquisite luggage designs. The second world, “Zoetrope“, draws inspiration from the equestrian domain, showcasing iconic symbols such as the Horsebit amidst captivating videos.
Visitors can then wander into “Eden“, which brings to life the enchanting Flora motif, a naturalistic design from 1966, through larger-than-life installations of flowers and insects. The world of “Two” features towering statues adorned in men’s and women’s suits from Gucci’s past and present collections, while “Archivio” highlights the brand’s most iconic bags.
The “Cabinet of Wonders” captivates guests with a rotating cabinet displaying a diverse array of garments, accessories, and curios. “Carousel” showcases a multitude of mannequins dressed in Gucci attire spanning from the 1970s to the present day. Lastly, “Duomo” pays tribute to the city of Florence, with two stunning reproductions of Filippo Brunelleschi’s 15th-century dome for Santa Maria del Fiore.
Gucci Cosmos is open at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai, China, through June 25th. After its closure, the exhibition will embark on a global tour.
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