As the partnership between Richard Mille and Frieze Masters/Frieze London enters its second year, Richard Mille is fast approaching another milestone: two decades of horological creations that have revolutionized the art of Swiss watchmaking imparting a legendary status to the brand within an astonishingly short period. Celebrating this vibrant, contemporary contribution to the art of watchmaking, the brand’s recurring presence at Frieze Masters international art fair continues to deepen the bond between the visual and horological arts that Richard Mille considers essential to the experience of luxury.
This year, inside the Richard Mille stand at Frieze Masters, visitors may explore the micro artistry of Richard Mille, where the hidden beauty of movement parts reveal themselves as microscopic sculptures that deploy all three dimensions within the watchcase. The tremendously complex shapes of these minuscule components are further embellished with refined hand finishing techniques, sustained by the craftsmanship of the watchmaker - a central highlight of the exhibition. "Our view is that we can find artistic inspiration in the past as well as in the present, even within utilitarian objects. For that reason, we work very hard to ensure our timepieces are multi-layered in their visual expressivity, associative imagery and use of materials. Defining these aspects during the design process are not far removed from the world of miniaturist painting, where an entire world can open up within a very confined area of just a few square centimetres," said Richard Mille.
Thanks to the unique volume of the watchcase and of the movement itself, Mille’s timepieces play up the full possibilities of three-dimensional space. Within the highly confined physical areas of a few square centimetres, the brand’s timepieces utilise all three dimensions for the creation of arching spaces and cross sections as blank canvases for artistic horological creations.The smallest layout and finishing details of all the mechanical parts are viewed as essential visual and stylistic elements within the scope of Mille’s holistic approach to watchmaking.
This assimilation of watchmaking with artistic endeavour is reflected in the company’s multi-layered and close connections with arts. An integral part of the Richard Mille Group, the storied publishing house, Éditions Cercle d’Art worked closely with Pablo Picasso and George Braque and represents the living legacy of an extraordinary moment in Modern Art. This intimate connection supports the brand’s artistic vision for a truly 21st century conception of watchmaking. Contributing to this are enriching exchanges via the brand’s numerous partnerships, which include artists such as internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied and the Palais de Tokyo museum in Paris.
