The FENDI exhibition "FENDI UN ART AUTRE - Another Art of Fendi, a Path of Creation and Innovation" is running until April 29th at the Tokyo University of the Arts Museum in Ueno, Tokyo.
This exhibition is being held in Japan for the first time in the world. It introduces the worldview of Fendi, which has been passed down for approximately 90 years since the brand's founding in 1925, from the perspective of creation and innovation. It is supervised by art historian and art critic Emanuela Nobile Mino.
The exhibition course at the venue is divided into four sections: the main entrance, introductory room, exhibition room, and fur atelier. At the main entrance, a life-size video reproduction of the facade of Fendi's first store, which opened in Rome in 1925, is displayed. In the introductory room, a video introduces the brand's history and the evolution of fur creations, while fur and organza stoles hang from the ceiling in front of the two entrances leading to the exhibition rooms.
The main exhibition room displays approximately 30 fur pieces symbolizing Fendi's history, selected from those produced between the 1970s and 2013. The exhibits are divided into two sections: "Anatomy and Color," showcasing traditional manufacturing processes and unique experimental techniques, and "Luxury and Revolution," introducing Fendi's new concept of luxury. In addition to the labels on each piece, detailed information is available on touchscreens on the walls, including the season, type, technique, characteristics, and sketches by Karl Lagerfeld.
The final section, the Fur Atelier, features a recreated workshop where artisans demonstrate their work. Visitors can see up close the artisanal techniques used to transform a sketch into a fur piece that could be called an art piece. At the opening ceremony, Fendi Chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari said, "At Fendi, we value passion, creativity, and tradition while overcoming them to create something new. We want visitors to experience and enjoy the beauty of handmade craftsmanship and art." In a separate interview, he said, "The goal of this exhibition is to combine the beauty of handmade craftsmanship with art. Japan is a country that excels in exquisite handcraftsmanship, and we chose Japan as the first country in the world to hold the exhibition because we share that sincere approach with Fendi. My favorite piece on display is the dress from the latest Fall/Winter 2013 collection. We are considering Asia as a future location for the exhibition." Also at the ceremony, Tokyo University of the Arts President Ryohei Miyata said, "Japan is home to many art museums, but it is groundbreaking for a national university and an Italian brand to co-host an exhibition. We hope our relationship will not end with this exhibition; we hope to continue collaborating with Fendi in the future."
In addition, at the reception party held the day before the opening, entertainers such as artist Matsui Fuyuko, ballet dancer Miyao Shuntaro, and kabuki actors Nakamura Shido and Tsuchiya Anna attended to celebrate the opening of the exhibition.
【Exhibition Information】
FENDI—UN ART AUTRE
Another Kind of Art, Creation and Innovation in Craftsmanship
—Fendi: Another Art, the Path of Creation and Innovation—
Dates: Wednesday, April 3rd to Monday, April 29th, 2013 (National Holiday)
Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm (last entry at 4:30pm)
Closed: Every Monday *Open on Monday, April 29th (National Holiday)
Venue: Tokyo University of the Arts University Art Museum, Exhibition Rooms 3 and 4
Admission Fee: Adults 1,200 yen, high school and university students 700 yen (free for junior high school students and younger)
