The Dream Maker
Scenographer for the Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art and Science of Gems exhibition Sanjit Manku chats with Annabel Tan about creating a magical world for the maison to tell its story of nature, couture and much more
ems and jewels are beautiful on their own, but when you place hundreds of them together in an exhibition, the sight can be a fine line between stunning and overwhelming. To avoid the latter, jewellery houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, which will hold its largest heritage exhibition The Art and Science of Gems in Singapore at the Artscience Museum from April 23 to August 14, approach experts like Canadian architect Sanjit Manku of design studio Jouin Manku to design the scenography and set the sparkle. Having worked on several of its projects before, Manku has developed a close relationship with the French maison. He has visited its Paris atelier, where he developed a deeper understanding and respect for the art and history of jewellery. “It’s really quite extraordinary because it’s something that humans have been doing from the beginning of time, this thing of marking an important occasion, with something bespoke as a gift.” Co-curated with the Artscience Museum, the exhibition spans over a century of history and showcases more than 400 creations displayed across seven defining themes: couture, abstractions, influences, precious objects, nature, ballerinas and fairies, and icons from Van Cleef & Arpel’s archives as well as those on loan from private collectors around the world. It will also feature 250 minerals from the French National Museum of Natural History collection. As its name suggests, the exhibition will not only highlight stunning jewellery but also the transformation of Earth’s minerals into precious gems in the hands of the maison’s artisans. With Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art and Science of Gems, Manku hopes to create a strong atmosphere for the jewels to leave a lasting impression on visitors. “You’ve got one time to express yourself so you can’t do something that has no voice,” says Manku. “It has to be something that people will remember for years and years and years.” He tells us more.