Programme 2023
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Programme MAY 2023

Immerse yourself in new trends, disruptive thinking, ambitious ideas and fresh approaches. Take part in our informative and educational lectures, industry-relevant seminars, thought-provoking round table discussions and Touch & Feel workshops. As a hub for the gem & jewellery world, GemGeneve fosters debate through talks and encourages new generations to Learn & Discover.

10
May

Meet the Lapidarists… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

2:00 pm - 8:30 pm

We are lapidaries. We take rough stones or poorly cut stones and cut them to perfection. With an understanding of each gemstone’s unique needs and an eye for design and beauty aesthetics, we try to make each stone as beautiful as it can be.

 

We cut the stones by our own hands and we also have a team of cutters in Thailand that we work with for large orders.

 

Speakers : Justin K.Prim and Victoria Raynaud

 

Meet the Pearl Peeler… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

2:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Speaker: Sabine Gyger

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Julieth Lozano, soprano, and Reginald le Reun, pianist / Lounge

6:20 pm - 6:35 pm

Musical interlude proposed by the Grand Théâtre de Genève.

Programme :

* F.CAVALLI, La Calisto: Restino Imbalsamate

This recitativo and aria express the love that Calisto can’t stop feeling for the goddess Diana and their previous encounter. Without knowing that who she encountered was actually Giove in disguise.

 

* GOUNOD, Faust: Air des Bijoux

Mephistopheles has left a box with jewels and a mirror for Marguerite. In this aria she finds them and tries them on, believing that the jewels can change who she is.

 

* MARIA GREVER: Te quiero dijiste

This song is about love. The purest kind. A mexican composer that uses all the passion in her to express how much love can one feel for another human being.

Meet the Sheath-Makers... / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 02

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Speaker: Vaudaux Genève

 

11
May

Meet the Lapidarists… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

We are lapidaries. We take rough stones or poorly cut stones and cut them to perfection. With an understanding of each gemstone’s unique needs and an eye for design and beauty aesthetics, we try to make each stone as beautiful as it can be.

We cut the stones by our own hands and we also have a team of cutters in Thailand that we work with for large orders.

 

Speakers : Justin K.Prim and Victoria Raynaud

 

Meet the Stone Setter… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

The profession of jewellery maker has existed since man first made jewellery.

 

During the Middle Ages/Renaissance, the trade of goldsmith included 3 trades the goldsmith, the jeweller and the setter. These three trades became full-fledged professions in the 1800s and 1900s.

 

The trade of the setter consists of setting precious stones on jewellery or watches jewellery or watches, using different techniques that are more or less delicate depending on the shape of the stones and the complexity of the piece to be set.

 

The synergy and collaboration between gem setters and jewellers, watchmakers and lapidaries/diamondsmiths is necessary to ensure the and the lapidary/diamond maker is necessary to complete a project.

The profession has changed a lot over the last 40 years as a result of increasing industrialisation. industrialization. The setting workshops have split into 2 categories, either following the industry with workshops sometimes quite large working mainly for the watch industry, or small or medium sized workshops working mainly for the jewellery industry.

 

The working methods have also evolved following the arrival of binocular microscopes and computer and mechanical programs specific to setting.

 

This profession requires good self-control, patience and also a creative and artistic side.

 

Speaker: André Perrin

 

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

11:00 am - 11:30 am

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Indian jewellery culture: special focus on Polki-Kundan jewellery / Espace Talks

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Journalist, Richa Goyal Sikri explores the complex fabric of India’s love affair with jewels, it’s 5,000 year-old history, notable periods, differences within the Indian subcontinent, and how India has influenced jewellery styles beyond it’s shores.

The second part of Richa’s presentation will de-mystify the ancient polki-kundan technique of jewellery craftsmanship involving the setting of wafer-thin slices of diamonds, coloured gemstones in gold, and how artisans continue to use champlevé enamel technique in this jewelled art form.

 

Speaker: Richa Goyal Sikri

 


To attend the talk


Online

Les Grands Entretiens / Espace Talks

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Speakers: Andrea Machalova x Gaetano Cavalieri

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Meet the author of The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting / LetuBooks - VS-11

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting is a collection of the world’s most popular and jealously guarded gemstone designs.

 

These are accompanied with a straightforward explanation of their logic and the techniques necessary to unleash their greatest potential for beauty and profit.

 

Cutting diagrams are presented with full color photos, historical background, cutting advice, as well as design information. This volume will prove useful to gemcutters who want to cut these market-essential designs, to jewelers who need a visual reference for presenting different gemstone styles to their customers, as well as to gemstone enthusiasts who want to understand the process of how and why a pebble can become one of the most value-rich objects in the world.

 

The opportunities available to any reader of this book have never before in history been open to the public until now.

Speaker: Justin K.Prim

Les automates : Magie de la mécanique d'art / Espace Talks

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Les automates ; ces merveilles d’art, de poésie et d’ingénierie animés par des mécanismes horlogers tels que des engrenages et des ressorts imitent la vie et nous fascinent depuis des siècles. Intimement liés à l’horlogerie et à son histoire, ces objets de mécanique d’art restent moins connus que nos célèbres montres suisses ! Et pourtant, leurs rouages sont tout autant, et parfois même plus complexes.

La table ronde abordera l’histoire de ces objets fascinants tout en contextualisant leur protée symbolique et leur complexité. Même à l’ère des objets électroniques et de la robotique, leur poésie n’a pas perdu de son charme, et suscite toujours l’émerveillement – notamment au travers des créations célébrées de François Junod.

Enfin, les enjeux liés à la conservation et à la restauration de ces objets lorsqu’ils deviennent patrimoniaux seront abordés à travers la paire d’impressionnants éléphants conservés par le Musée d’Art et d’histoire de Genève que l’exposition de GemGenève a le privilège d’exposer cette année au sein de son exposition dédiée à ces objets captivants.

Moderator: Laurence Bodenmann

Speakers:

Nathalie Marielloni, Conservatrice du MIH

Aline Michel, Conservatrice – Restauratrice, AM-AC

Zoé Snijders, Conservatrice – Restauratrice, AM-AC

François Junod, Artisan automatier


To attend the talk


Online

Meet the Chain-maker… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

The job of a chain maker is to create chains entirely by hand. Depending on the type of chain required, this can take between one and two months.

 

To do this, the chain maker will shape gold, platinum or silver wires, coils or links which he then assembles meticulously. As a result, a watch bracelet worn daily can last up to 30 years.

 

Speaker: Laurent Jolliet

 

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Daniel Brush – An Edifying Journey / Espace Talks

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

In this talk, jewellery historian Vivienne Becker celebrates the extraordinary work of renowned artist, sculptor, poet-goldsmith, Daniel Brush, who died late last year. Charting the course of his career that spanned more than 50 years, she explains the philosophy, thought-provoking ideas and obsessive preoccupations that stimulated his febrile imagination and drove the awe-inspiring techniques that gave voice to his artistry.

She follows his exploration of materials, from gold, through steel to aluminium, and his ability to paint with light.

Finally, she shows how Brush pushed boundaries, broke barriers, challenged conventions and crossed disciplines with equal passion and perfection – moving seamlessly from large scale paintings, through sculptures and objects to intricate, intimate, storytelling jewels, and discusses the exalted place Daniel Brush occupies in the long history of jewellery.

Speaker: Vivienne Becker


To attend the talk


Online

What does sustainability mean when it comes to jewellery? / Salle de réunion

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

At every GemGenève edition since November 2021, Gemmologie & Francophonie has organised a panel discussion bringing together gemmologists and other experts to discuss current topics such as Gemmology and social, environmental and scientific challenges; Colour in gemmology; nature and culture; and Science meets trade: what gemstones’ names tell us about ourselves. To maintain this dynamic and leverage the influence of GemGenève for the benefit of the jewellery world at large, the Association is working in partnership with the exhibition to launch this work session – more are planned at subsequent editions.

Limited to 15-20 people on an opt-in basis (registration required), Gemmologie & Francophonie invites professionals, dealers, gemmologists, historians, leading brands and students to come and brainstorm, explore ideas and identify practical solutions to market challenges and difficulties; in short, to sit down round a table to discuss, debate, and see fresh ideas emerge.

Notes taken at these closed-door sessions will be published by the Association in a new review, the first edition of which is due out this coming April.

The debut work session will be organised on Thursday 11 May at GemGenève with the following title: What does sustainability mean when it comes to jewellery? The session will be led by Martial Bonnet, president of the Gemmologie & Francophonie Association.

Those interested in taking part should write to the following email address:
gemmofranco@protonmail.ch

Meet the author of Daniel Brush: Jewels Sculpture / LetuBooks - VS-11

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Forty years of the legendary artist and sculptor Daniel Brush’s sublime work with jewels. A unique figure in the world of contemporary art, Daniel Brush is in equal measure artist and craftsman.

Over the course of forty years, Brush has created an unparalleled body of work, whose scope ranges from large-scale abstract drawings to sculptures in steel, aluminum, and gold.

Collected here are more than 150 objects that bring to the fore Brush’s astonishing work with jewels. Far from the products of the world of commercial jewelry, these are jewel-encrusted objects of virtue and fantasy that reflect not just the artist’s rigorous personal aesthetic and mastery of technique, but his lifelong fascinations with philosophy and Asian thought, and his exhaustive knowledge of the history of precious stones.

With photography made of the objects in situ inside Brush’s studio in New York City, this book presents not only a catalog of his jewel work to date, but also an ethereal portrait of the artist himself.

Housed in a slipcase, with photographs by Takaaki Matsumoto and an illuminating text by Vivienne Becker, this is an intimate study of the work of a master artist and a beautiful object in itself.

Speaker: Vivienne Becker

Musical interlude, proposed by Le Grand Théâtre de Genève & La Haute École de Musique de Genève / Lounge

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Programme :

* MAURICE RAVEL : Gaspard de la nuit

* FRANZ LISZT : Sonate en si mineur

The choice of DELPHINE CO, pianist:

As for the choice of my program, they are simply two pieces that I particularly like. On the one hand, Gaspard de la nuit: this piece is for me a unique masterpiece that brings together three different universes of an infinite richness.

On the other hand, Liszt’s B minor sonata, a monument I have been dreaming about for years now. It is only recently that I started to put these two UFOs together in one recital, two huge pieces that make me travel, a feeling I would love and look forward to sharing with the audience during the concert.

Meet the Sheath-Makers... / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 02

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Vaudaux Genève

 

12
May

Meet the Lace maker… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Speaker: Rodica Gregorita

Meet the Photographer… / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 01

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Leonard, Studio Diode

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

11:00 am - 11:30 am

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Le fermoir en bijouterie, 4000 ans d’histoires / Espace Talks

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Couvrant une période de 4000 ans, Anna présentera des solutions de fermoirs mettant en parallèle des fermoirs anciens et contemporains.

Une étude spécifique mettra en lumière les recherches ayant abouti à la découverte de l’origine de la boite-cliquet – révélée pour la première fois.

Une seconde étude mettra l’accent sur les fermoirs d’Europe du Nord et les solutions originales utilisées en Allemagne, Suisse et Autriche, à savoir : le “Halsbätti mit Röslistücken von Nidwaldner”, le “Kropfkette ou chaîne de goitre” et le “Bückeburger Hochzeitskette Brautkette Bernstein”, pour certains toujours en usage aujourd’hui.

Speaker:  Anna Tabakhova


To attend the talk


Online

Les Grands Entretiens / Espace Talks

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Speakers: Melanie Grant x Allen Adler

Let's make the automaton works! / Exhibition – VS-06

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Demonstration of working automatons with Gabrielle Mino-Matot, Curator and Conservator, MAH

Meet the Pearl Threader… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

2:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Sabine Gyger

Meet the author of Le fermoir en bijouterie, 4000 ans d’histoires / LetuBooks - VS-11

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Le fermoir en bijouterie, 4000 ans d’histoires

 

A la croisée du livre d’art, de l’étude historique et du manuel technique, un livre conçu comme une belle promenade joaillière à travers le temps et l’espace.

 

Le fonctionnement d’un fermoir égyptien “jeune” de 3800 ans et l’origine de la boîte-cliquet sont enfin révélés.

 

Speaker: Anna Tabakhova

L'approvisionnement en gemmes au service de la joaillerie - horlogerie / Espace Talks

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Le sujet de la table ronde gravitera autour de l’approvisionnement des matières gemmes. Comment trouve t’on nos gemmes ?

À travers quels critères se prennent les décisions d’achat ?

Marketing, éthique, communication, voici des notions que vous retrouverez durant cette rencontre.

Modératrice : Marie Chabrol

Intervenants :

Raj Mehta, Chloé Picard, Martial Bonnet et Mathieu Tharin.


To attend the talk


Online

Vintage & Antique Jewelry : Among past and modernity / Espace Talks

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

An excursus with some of the key protagonists of vintage and antique jewelry industry with the aim to better focus on what is next and what is changing in the overall business model.

Through the panelists’ testimonies, we will discover in which way vintage and antique jewelry is playing a strong role in the industry and which are the challenges and best practice leading these changes.

We will be talking about heritage and legacy, new consumers, the digital transformation, key trends.

 

Moderator: Donatella Zappieri – Jewelry Business Consultant, Lecturer, Journalist.

 

Speakers:

Marianne Fisher 5th Generation Paul Fisher inc. Founder of Jewelers Circle & the IAJA

Marie Cecile Cisamolo Director, Jewelry Specialist at Sotheby’s

Melissa Wolfgang Amec 6th generation Golay Fils & Stahl Jewelry and stones dealer

Kathia Pinckernelle Antique jewelry Specialist


To attend the talk


Online

Musical interlude, proposed by Le Grand Théâtre de Genève & La Haute École de Musique de Genève / Lounge

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Programme Journey through the piano eras:

* LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN : Sonate en La bémol Majeur Opus 110 (extrait)

* ROBERT SCHUMANN : Kreisleriana opus 16 (extraits 1, 3)

* FREDERIC CHOPIN : Fantaisie en Fa Mineur opus 49

* MAURICE RAVEL : La Valse

* CLAUDE DEBUSSY : 2 Préludes (Bruyères, Général Lavigne Excentrique)

* EROLL GARNER : Misty

* JOSEPH KOSMA : Autumn Leaves

The choice of LEO PENSEL, pianist:

During this recital, I will have the pleasure of guiding you through the main piano eras. I have chosen to build this concert by setting the tone for improvisation, fantasy, dance and emotional power, which will be found in Beethoven, who breaks with the classical era; Schumann and Chopin, the great composers of the Romantic period, and then in the modern period the unavoidable Ravel and Debussy, and the Jazz of Garner, Kern and Kosma.

Beethoven: Sonata Opus 110, in A-flat major, the most luminous and lilting work he ever wrote, which marked a turning point towards Romanticism. This work, built on an ascending fourth motif, is a testimony to Beethoven’s love, joy and generosity towards humanity.

Schumann, the great composer of the German Romantic period, wrote this cycle of eight pieces: the Kreisleriana op.16 for the one he loved most of all: Clara Wieck, the great pianist of his time. Schumann composed the Kreisleriana after having read “Kater Murr” by ETA Hoffmann, a book which relates the adventures of the exuberant character J. Kreisler, a mad choirmaster and a talking cat… A characteristic of Schumann’s music is his contradictory dual personality: Florestant, the conqueror, and Eusebius, the introvert, which are essential components in his music.

The Fantasy in F Minor: paying homage to the Polish war veterans, Chopin illustrates his music chronologically: with a military march, a very lyrical love theme that is repeated three times, interspersed with a theme of triumphal character, and a central chorale, slow and recollected like a prayer. The work is very brilliant and virtuosic, sweeping us away with its waves of arpeggios and octaves.

Ravel’s Waltz refers to Strauss’s Viennese Waltz. In the post-1918 context, it is a decadent waltz that gets out of control and finally explodes in flight. As one of the composer’s greatest masterpieces, The Waltz builds gradually to its final climax.

Debussy: Bruyères and Général Lavigne Excentrique, are two pieces that introduce the jazz suite of the programme, the former is an almost improvisational prelude illustrating a country character, and the latter is a Cakewalk, a dance imported from the United States and very popular at that time in the early 20th century.

Misty and Autumn Leaves are two world famous jazz standards. Misty is a Ballade, a slow, highly sung musical form. Les Feuilles Mortes, in French, is a song set to music by J. Kosma with lyrics by J. Prévert.

Meet the Sheath-Makers... / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 02

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Vaudaux Genève

 

13
May

Meet the Florentine Mosaic artist… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

 

Speaker: Mauro Tacconi

 

Meet the Engraver…/ Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 01

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Speaker : Richard Lundin

My favorite Art Deco Jewel at GemGenève / Espace Talks

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

This session will provide the unique opportunity to learn first-hand from the international exhibitors of Gem Geneve about their favorite Art Deco jewel at the show. Participants will include: Wesley Aframian of Jewellerette (LA) ; Garance Brandely of Faeber Collection (Geneva), Christine Fisher of Paul Fisher Inc.( New York), Tracy Zebrak of Zebrak (London – Monaco) and Elie Abramov of Morelle Davidson (London).

This new educational session at Gem Genève will enable exhibitors to share with the audience their most favorite Art Deco jewel and explain the reasons of their particular choice. What will become apparent is how behind each great jewel there is always a great expert with an exceptional eye. Amanda Triossi will help unravel the stories that have forged such great experts, probably the most hidden gems of Gem Genève!

Moderator: Amanda Triossi

Speakers:

Wesley Aframian (Jewellerette & Co)

Garance Brandely (Faeber Collection)

Christine Fisher (Paul Fisher Inc)

Tracy Zebrak (Zebrak)

Elli Abramov (Morelle Davidson)


To attend the talk


Online

Les Grands Entretiens / Espace Talks

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Speakers: Melanie Grant x Benoit Repelli

Meet the author of Coveted, art and innovation in high jewelry / LetuBooks - VS-11

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

The first comprehensive book on jewellery as an art form presents a collection of today’s most exclusive jewellers. When does jewellery transcend the category of fashion accessory to become art?

Coveted provides a vital study of the field, profiling over 70 of the most prominent designers working around the world today. In thematic chapters featuring exceptional pieces of each artist’s extraordinary work, the book explores their conceptual approach, the provenance of materials, and the quality of design, composition, and execution, revealing what makes these creations not only coveted objects of exceptional value, but works of art.

Speaker: Melanie Grant

Royal Magnificience. Florentine pietra dura mosaics: Jewellery, Objects de Vertu, Works of Art / Espace Talks

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

This presentation explores the fantastic world of semi-precious stones and their use in pictorial mosaics, a rare and sophisticated art that exploits the natural chromatic qualities of hardstones to create what really is a painting in stone.

In the Florentine late Renaissance, lapidaries at the Granducal court of the Medici family were fascinated by the infinite range of colours of stones and began to improve the intarsia or ‘commesso’ process to produce pietra dura panels depicting various subjects such as flowers, landscapes, figures, and animals. Mastering the palette of natural colors offered by nature through the stones, they managed to obtain virtuoso effects resembling painted brushstrokes.

The unique technique was perfected thanks to collaboration between lapidaries, jewelersand painters – and the determination of the Medici Grand Dukes in Florence, who invested huge resources and energy in the pietra dura workshop, officially established by Ferdinando I de’ Medici in 1588 under the name of Galleria dei Lavori.

The Florentine Grand Dukes promoted the sourcing of rare precious and semiprecious stones and the exploration of local quarries in order to supply the needs of mosaic production. But the quest for materials went well beyond the borders of the grand-duchy territories, reaching as far afield as Corsica, Sicily, the Alps, Germany, and even South America and India.

The semi-precious stone mosaic became a typical Florentine art, and the craftsmen of the grand ducal workshop were invited to various European royal courts between the 1600s and 1700s to found manufacturies similar to the Florentine one. Because of the pieces’ worth and uniqueness, commissions for pietra dura jewels, snuffboxes, wall panels, cabinets, caskets and table tops were the preserve of nobles and aristocrats.

Only in Florence has this tradition been perpetuated, thanks to the creation of independent pietra dura studios during the nineteenth century.

This talk will be accompanied by a wide selection of slides showing some of the most spectacular and rare Florentine works of art in semi-precious stones, much sought-after by passionate collectors today and commanding some of the highest prices in the art market. Anna Maria Massinelli will be signing her book at the Letu Books booth after her talk.

Speaker: Anna Maria Massinelli

Donna Jewel x GemGenève Award / VS-13

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Donna Jewel x GemGenève Award arises from the aim to support talents.

Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite work of art at “Donna Jewel x GemGenève” stand, and the most voted artist will win a review and interview by talent hunter Laura Inghirami, which will be shared with @donna.jewel community.

The winner will be announced on May 13 at 3:00 pm at the stand (VS-13).

Speakers: Donna Jewel x GemGenève

 

Meet the author of Natura Omnia Artes Magistra / LetuBooks - VS-11

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

The extraordinary chromatic palette offered by the mineral world has always been a stimulating element for the artist’s imagination because it allows the creation of a harmonious continuity between the creative process and the natural element.

The volume explores the approach of the artists of the past towards this fascinating ‘underground’ world through an overview of the different ways of using semi-precious stones and the techniques developed to enhance their unlimited expressive potential.

The work also introduces an unpublished, contemporary reinterpretation of the pietra dura mosaic. The vast specimen of illustrated materials allows a snapshot of the stones available on the market today and constitutes a valuable reference tool for artists, lapidaries, collectors, geologists and academics.

Speaker: Anna Maria Massinelli

Meet the Polisher… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

In the collective imagination, polishing is about making metal shine. But in reality, it is much more than that. We can summarise things by saying that polishing is to sublimate the work carried out by the entire jewellery production chain: the designer, the jeweller, the setter, the engraver, the gemmologist…etc. A jewel that is not properly polished has no life.

There are many techniques to achieve the desired result. One can work by hand or with machines such as a polishing lathe on which various tools are adapted to reach every corner of the access to all the corners of the object. Polishing is a difficult and delicate profession, which has been under for several years. It deserves to be brought back to light in the hope of provoking some vocations necessary for its perpetuation.

 

Speaker: Marie Chabrol

 

The Evolution of Jewellery / Espace Talks

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Katerina Perez in conversation with Donatella Zappieri

 

On the 10th year anniversary of her professional career as jewelry KOL, writer and consultant, Katerina Perez will be in conversation with Donatella Zappieri, Jewelry Business Consultant.

 

Throughout their conversation, Katerina will share an overview of the last ten years of the jewelry industry and which have been the major changes, whilst enhancing the evolution of digital communication, latest trends, iconic pieces and the change of retail environment for jewelry and gems.

 

A captivating discussion which will also focus on the strong bond between jewelry and fashion and the role of accessories in women’s life.

 

Please join them to hear their fascinating stories about jewelry industry in the last decade.

 

Speakers: Katerina Perez x Donatella Zappieri

 


To attend the talk


Online

Musical interlude, proposed by Le Grand Théâtre de Genève & La Haute École de Musique de Genève / Lounge

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Programme :

* ROBERT SCHUMANN : Fantasiestücke op. 12

* FRANZ LISZT : Etude d’exécution transcendante n°8 “Wilde Jagd”

* LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN : Sonate en mi Majeur n°30 op. 109

The choice of ARTHUR NOEL, pianist:

The programme of this concert tends to create a sound space with contrasting nuances, enriched by a strong diversity of styles and moods. An invitation to travel and to the walks so dear to Robert Schumann and Ludwig Van Beethoven, accompanied by their music and that of Franz Liszt.

R. Schumann’s Fantasiestücke opus 12 opens the concert.

It is the whole spectrum of human expression and emotion that is described through these 8 scenes, with evocative names… Passing from sensuality, to excitement and agitation, from contemplative calm to a flamboyant humour and joy of life, until the last piece where “Everything melts into a joyful wedding [… …] but at the end of it all, grief has been superimposed on you, and then the wedding bells and the knell ring out in a jumble” (letter of 19 March 1838 from Robert Schumann to Clara Wieck).

The titles of the eight pieces of the Fantasiestücke op.12:

1. Des Abends (Evening)

2. Aufschwung (Essor)

3. Warum? (Why?)

4. Grillen (Caprices)

5. In der nacht (At night)

6. Fabel (Fable)

7. Traumes Wirren (Confused dream)

8. Ende von lied (End of the song)

Then comes the time for the hunt! F. Liszt’s Transcendental Etude No. 8, called Wilde Jagd (The Wild Hunt), describes the eponymous Western mythological figure representing the passage of a terrifying ride of the dead through the night sky of the winter solstice.

The richness of the orchestra’s timbres is reflected in the piano, which portrays with startling drama the unrestrained pursuit of the spectres through the night, a fear that is momentarily appeased by a central section in E flat major that is poignantly beautiful and lyrical, but is soon overtaken by the inexorable course of the doom-laden band.

After this chilling and masterly tableau, L.W. Beethoven invites us, with his Sonata No. 30, Op. 109, to a journey of deep mystical dimensions. After a strange first movement contrasting two parts of opposite character (Vivace for the first and Adagio expressivo for the second), a tumultuous second movement marked “Gesangvoll mit innigster Empfindung” (very singing, with the greatest depth of feeling), the variations of the 3rd and last movement lead us towards the end of our journey, to the sound of their last bars, an open end suspended by the reminiscence of the theme, written in the style of a chorale in E Major, luminous and touching.

Meet the Sheath-Makers... / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 02

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Vaudaux Genève

 

14
May

Meet the Stone Setter… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

The profession of jewellery maker has existed since man first made jewellery.

During the Middle Ages/Renaissance, the trade of goldsmith included 3 trades the goldsmith, the jeweller and the setter. These three trades became full-fledged professions in the 1800s and 1900s.

The trade of the setter consists of setting precious stones on jewellery or watches jewellery or watches, using different techniques that are more or less delicate depending on the shape of the stones and the complexity of the piece to be set.

The synergy and collaboration between gem setters and jewellers, watchmakers and lapidaries/diamondsmiths is necessary to ensure the and the lapidary/diamond maker is necessary to complete a project.

The profession has changed a lot over the last 40 years as a result of increasing industrialisation. industrialization. The setting workshops have split into 2 categories, either following the industry with workshops sometimes quite large working mainly for the watch industry, or small or medium sized workshops working mainly for the jewellery industry.

The working methods have also evolved following the arrival of binocular microscopes and computer and mechanical programs specific to setting.

This profession requires good self-control, patience and also a creative and artistic side.

 

Speaker: André Perrin

 

Meet the Engraver… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS-01

10:00 am - 5:30 pm

Engraving is an essentially manual craft and is closely linked to the field of luxury watchmaking. Engraving is the act of tracing a drawing on a support.

It refers to all artistic, craft or industrial techniques that use incision or digging to produce an image, a text or any other inscription in the material.

The engraver decorates the pieces entrusted to him/her with the help of chisels and works on almost all metals.

The two main techniques used are intaglio (engraving) and bas-relief (relief engraving).

The profession can also be applied to other fields such as medals and stamping as well as art engraving for printing.

Speaker: Amandine Bettinelli 

 

Sapphire, A Celebration of Colour / Espace Talks

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

‘Sapphire’ will take you on a journey of the gem, from antiquity to the present day. We delve into the unexplained talismanic powers bestowed on sapphire during the Middle Ages while being treated with caution in other parts of the world.

Sapphire was often the stone of choice for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and its popularity has continued with other members of the royal family. We look at jewellery collections of the glitterati socialites, such as Daisy Fellowes, the Duchess of Windsor and Elizabeth Taylor, and hear about the lure of collecting sapphires for three private collectors today, who have generously and for the first time allowed their sapphire jewels to be documented.

Joanna’s personal journeys to Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and Madagascar explore the mining of sapphires today giving a window into the extraordinary world of sapphire and its many colours. Sapphire joins Emerald and Ruby to complete her trilogy of books that celebrate these gemstones.”

Speaker: Joanna Hardy


To attend the talk


Online

Meet the author of Sapphire, A Celebration of Colour / LetuBooks - VS-11

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

After the emerald and the ruby, this third in a series of large volumes on jewellery is devoted to the sapphire. It presents in detail more than 60 examples of the most famous jewels that use this precious stone, often blue but not always.

It looks back at its history, the trade routes and sometimes dark stories that brought sapphire to us, the magical powers that some believe it to have, and the modern and contemporary designs that showcase it.

 

Speaker: Joanna Hardy

 

Meet the Pearl Threader… / Villa des Arts Perdus - VS – 01

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Speaker: Danièle Turian

Bijoux, l'orfèvre et le peintre / Espace Talks

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Depuis la nuit des temps, l’homme voue aux gemmes une valeur symbolique représentative du pouvoir, de la protection, de l’expression des sentiments. Associées au bijou et au portrait, elles ont une signification qui va bien au-delà de l’art du paraître.

L’orfèvre connaît le langage des pierres que le peintre décline de façon symbolique ou conventionnelle. Utilisant le support de la peinture, la conférence aborde les thèmes suivants :

– Le langage des gemmes dans les sources écrites et leur symbolique en peinture

– Les mondes antiques (Egypte, Grèce, Rome) : des pierres pour l’éternité

– L’art du portrait, du gothique tardif au début du XXème siècle : le bijou témoin de la mode et de son temps.

 

Speaker: Brigitte Serre-Bouret

 


To attend the talk


Online

Awards Ceremony / Espace Talks

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Awards Ceremony to reward the winning student projects:

– SSEF Award – GTG x HEAD x GemGenève project

– SSEF Award – CFC x ASMEBI x GemGenève project

– ASMEBI Award – CFC x ASMEBI x GemGenève project

– Eric Horovitz Foundation Award – CFC x ASMEBI x GemGenève project


To attend the talk


Online

Meet the author of Bijoux, l'orfèvre et le peintre / LetuBooks - VS-11

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

De la haute Antiquité au début du XXème siècle, le bijou représenté en peinture témoigne des savoir-faire conjugués de l’orfèvre et du peintre, l’un l’utilisant comme symbole, l’autre comme témoignage de mode. Extraire le bijou du tableau, c’est évoquer le reflet d’une époque, le voyage des gemmes, l’engouement de la mode et du luxe ainsi qu’un langage plus secret de l’ordre du symbole et de l’allégorie.

Le livre se décompose en huit chapitres chronologiques :

– le langage des principales pierres précieuses

– quelques exemples dans l’Antiquité : brève histoire de Saint Éloi, le patron des orfèvres et sa représentation dans la peinture

– Le Gothique

– Renaissance et Baroque

– Le Siècle des lumières

– le Romantisme, l’Art Nouveau et le Second Empire

– le début du XXème siècle

Rédigé avec une grande rigueur scientifique mais à l’attention d’un large public avant tout, cet ouvrage est le fruit d’une double expérience d’historienne de l’art et d’historienne du bijou.

Jamais traité auparavant, ce sujet présente l’originalité de la présentation en transversalité toutes époques confondues de bijoux portés par tout type de personnes. Bijoux royaux, régalias et bijoux religieux ne font pas partie du propos.

Speaker: Brigitte Serre-Bouret

 

Meet the Sheath-Makers... / Villa des Arts Perdus – VS – 02

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Speaker: Vaudaux Genève