To talk about exquisite life and petty bourgeois "tone", in the end, we have to look at Shanghai.
Recently, I went to Shanghai's newest hot business - "Late Qing No. 1 Garden: Zhang Yuan" - to experience the petty bourgeois culture of the Shanghai people.
The reason why "Zhang Yuan" is called "the first in Shanghai" is because as early as the beginning of the last century, whether it was watching movies, exhibitions, plays, visiting the garden, taking photos, drinking afternoon tea, or playing roller coasters, hot air balloons and other fashionable entertainment, all the latest trendy community activities took place here.
Figure: Network
There are not only large-scale exhibitions such as the Saihua Festival and the Universal Saizhen Festival, but also Mei Lanfang came here to make her Shanghai premiere, Huo Yuanjia set up a ring competition here, and Mr. Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing and other gentlemen gave generous speeches in the garden.
Even if it once sank due to the changes of the times, the Shikumen building complex built here later also carried the life memories of countless Shanghai citizens, and many later film and television works related to old Shanghai were also filmed here.
Since its establishment, Zhang Yuan has gone through 140 years of ups and downs and vicissitudes, and countless stories of Shanghai have also happened here.
At the end of last year, Zhang Yuan finally reopened its doors after renovation, and also introduced the most cutting-edge fashion trend elements, and a number of big brands continued to write a century-old legend in the form of novel experiences of "first store", "debut" and "first launch".
And our old friend, Vacheron Constantin, is also in this ranks, winning the tallest and largest single-family building in Zhangyuan, creating the brand's largest immersive experience space in China to date.
We will also meet this Zhang Yuan on this opportunity.
Today's Zhangyuan is a representative of Shikumen architecture in Haipai, and is the largest, most complete and most diverse Shikumen building complex in Shanghai.
Zhangyuan's land was originally just a piece of agricultural land in the Shanghai concession area of the foreigner "Grenong".
To talk about how to change the appearance, we have to start with the acquisition of Zhang Shuhe, a wealthy businessman in the late Qing Dynasty in 1882. In this year, the construction of "Zhang's Taste Garden" (the old name of Zhang Yuan) began.
Figure: Network
The so-called "taste of the sea" is taken from the allusion of Zhang Han in the Jin Dynasty who did not love the official position and retired to the mountains and forests, "the autumn wind rises, thinking of the sea bass", which means not loving the position of power. Zhang Yuanmen was also inscribed with the four characters "Smoke Wave Small Building", taken from the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Zhihe "Smoke Wave Angler", implying the meaning of "floating family pan house".
It is not surprising that the elegance of the owner makes the garden initially quite a bit of a desire to transcend the outside and build a private utopia.
Figure: Network
To the surprise of the times, the initial construction of Zhang Garden is a model of the combination of Chinese and Western.
There are many Chinese-style pavilions, small bridges and flowing water, and Western-style Western-style nurseries and ponds and trees are also its gardening elements, which are typical representative buildings of the collision of Chinese and Western cultures in those years.
Located in the concession and combining East and West, Zhang Yuan naturally became a special place in the complex society of Shanghai at that time.
Shanghai's first public lights were lit here, the first bicycle race was held here, the first outdoor photo studio was unveiled here, and the first movie was shown to the Chinese here...
It is conceivable that such a culturally representative and influential public place, emphasizing openness and openness, Mei Lanfang, Huo Yuanjia, Sun Yat-sen, Cai Yuanpei and other outstanding figures are certainly happy to patronize.
Zhangyuan was the center of culture and art in Shanghai at the end of the 19th century, and it was also a gathering place for the pioneers of thought at that time.
Pictured: Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" façade
The spirit of "tradition, inheritance, innovation and integration" symbolized by Zhang Yuan coincides with the concept that the Vacheron Constantin brand has always wanted to convey.
To talk about the humanistic temperament of Shanghai's old houses, it is difficult to experience it if you don't look at it in person.
Taking advantage of Vacheron Constantin's rare exhibition this time, I also came to experience the Shanghai culture.
Pictured: Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" façade
Zhang Garden is still a cultural landmark in Shanghai today, and it carries the full spirit of Shanghai school.
Located in Building 16 of Zhangyuan West District, Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" also perfectly combines Shanghai architecture and Haute Horlogerie art.
1755 is the year that Vacheron Constantin was founded, and the pun on the art of time "home" is both a metaphor for the brand as an "artist" in the world of fine watchmaking and a symbol that the building is the home of Vacheron Constantin's "art of time".
Photo: Vacheron Constantin's Overseas series of deconstructed art installations
In this four-storey historic mansion, it is not only the people and events of the moment, but also the collision and fusion of history, time, art and culture, especially in the well-preserved and renovated old building, every detail subtly echoes the exquisite aesthetic style of Vacheron Constantin timepieces.
Pictured: Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" architectural details
Vacheron Constantin's immersive experience space in Building 16 in Zhangyuan not only has rare models for the public to enjoy, but also timed special exhibitions, digital interactions, VIP private services and other experiences that are not available in specialty stores.
This time, I also took advantage of this trip to fully appreciate the style of Vacheron Constantin.
Pictured: Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" façade
In the square in front of the entrance, the first thing that catches our eye is a huge mirror, which is also an essential professional tool for traditional watchmakers.
Photo: Vacheron Constantin Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" Vast Mirror
Through this mirror, we can clearly view and interact with the four-storey historic listed building of Building 16 of Zhangyuan.
Walking through the door of the "Maltese Cross" at the door, through the art installation and creative labyrinth, we can clearly feel the exquisite watchmaking craftsmanship of Vacheron Constantin and the artistic theme of "the beauty of deconstruction".
Pictured: Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" watchmaking workshop
What impressed me the most was the art installation at two key points, the entrance and the old-fashioned staircase.
The two deconstructed creations respectively show the Vacheron Constantin Overseas series 4500V and 4300V engraved perpetual calendar watches, the details of which are usually difficult to see clearly, but now clearly visible.
I have to say that with these two installation works as representatives, shuttling through the entire exhibition, you can feel a unique "changing scenery" in Chinese gardens.
Pictured: Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" Creative Labyrinth
This time, not only is there a "Deconstructed Beauty" themed installation representing Vacheron Constantin's ghostly craftsmanship, but we can also see Vacheron Constantin's classic works full of Chinese flavor accumulated in the past in the "Book of Light" in the exhibition hall of the masterpiece, which really made me linger.
As Alfred Chapuis wrote in his book "Chinese Clocks", the 1919 Vacheron Constantin Beetle jewelry pendant watch is the earliest piece of the brand that can be traced back to the recorded work of the brand in the Chinese market.
For example, in 1926, Vacheron Constantin once again launched the "Art Deco Table Clock" based on Chinese characteristic elements:
From the black lacquered case, pink cut diamonds to the onyx base, to the pearls, colored treasures and serpentine hands set on the dial, they not only reveal the Chinese atmosphere, but also fully show the popular ART DECO art trend in Europe at that time.
Vacheron Constantin's linkage with Chinese culture has also spawned many masterpieces in recent decades.
For example, the 1996 "Mercator" series of the 12th zodiac color enamel dial watch, the dial is carefully drawn with traditional Chinese zodiac patterns.
In 2008, the Patrimony Heritage series "Han lacquer" watch innovatively combined watchmaking, diamond setting and traditional Chinese lacquer art.
The 2019 Les Cabinotiers Loft Artisan "Wild Panda" watch depicts a lifelike and cute panda for the first time in a joinery inlay, expressing the hope of strength, peace and luck.
In addition, in many works such as the Métiers d'Art masters series, the Traditionnelle lineage series, etc., Vacheron Constantin watches also highlight Chinese elements.
Needless to say, the most classic and straightforward zodiac and dragon and phoenix elements, whether it is the painted flower window pattern case taken from the Vacheron Constantin House on Huaihai Road, or the crane orchid pattern full of Chinese style, all show Vacheron Constantin's love for Chinese culture.
As a partner, I know that Vacheron Constantin has a long history of involvement with the art sector.
At the Dushaofei x Maison 1755 Time Art "Home" tasting on March 16th, we also had the pleasure of acquiring several Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Masters, which made me and the audience and Vacheron Constantin's friends feel the beauty and power of time.
The Métiers d'Art "Les Masques - Chinese Mask" watch, released in 18-carat gold around 2007, was inspired by Geneva's famous "Barbier-Mueller Museum", which is also the largest private museum of tribal art in the world.
In order to give the gold mask in the center a texture that floats on the movement, the Vacheron Constantin team used a transparent dial design.
If you look closely, you can also see that the transparent sapphire dial is faintly composed by "Michel Butor - Michel Butor" for this watch, and the fine text displayed by vacuum gold plating technology only appears slightly under the refraction of specific light.
Launched 10 years ago, the Métiers d'Art master's collection "Les Univers infinis - Infinite Universe" will be able to discern the inspiration of the art discerner - that is, it is a tribute to the surreal ingenuity of the Dutch artist "Maurits Cornelis Escher" - Moritz Cornelis Escher.
Escher is arguably a mathematician in the art world, and a top artistic genius among mathematicians.
What he does best is create mathematical optical illusion works, reflecting loops, infinity and surrealism.
Escher's works often contain rigorous logic and mathematical beauty, and it is a challenge for anyone to present them perfectly.
In order to perfectly display this visual effect, Vacheron Constantin skillfully combined various craftsmanship such as hand carving, large flame enamel, machine engraving, jewelry setting and other craftsmanship, and finally launched six limited edition "Les Univers infinis - Infinite Universe" watches, each with the "M.C. Escher" artist's signature engraved between the lugs.
In addition to the Métiers d'Art masters, which exert the brand's craftsmanship to the extreme, the FiftySix series with musical beauty and the Égérie goddess Ealing for elegant ladies also have their own merits.
And to say that everyone is the most familiar is the Overseas series.
Photo: Exhibition space on the second floor of the Overseas series
Needless to say, the art installations at the entrance and the staircase, touching the old-fashioned wooden handrails at the staircase and climbing up the stairs to the second floor, I am most impressed by the exhibition space of the Overseas series - the arrangement of the rooms is inspired by lofty mountains and alpine adventures, and is as simple and cold as the snowy mountains of the plateau.
Photo: Vacheron Constantin's "Tracing the Origins of the Four Seas" Sports Timepiece Collection
In the four-story art space, "Between the Horizons, Tracing the Origin of the "Four Seas" is being held.
The space displays the first, second and third generations of the Overseas collection and the predecessors inspired by this collection: the 222, 333, and the Phidias collection.
In addition, the same floor exhibition hall also displays the visual art work of the photographic explorer "Cory Richards - Cory Richards", called "Between Horizons".
Corey has embarked on three difficult expeditions to Mount Everest, which is a vivid portrayal of the spirit of looking at the world and climbing the peak. Under the guidance of this spirit, he diverged his thinking on human nature in different "horizons", paying more attention to the unity of human beings and the eternal pursuit of knowledge, seeking, great love and great beauty.
Photo: Vacheron Constantin's "Tracing the Origins of the Four Seas" Sports Timepiece Collection
In 2019, accompanying this Vacheron Constantin "One of Not Many" young talent to climb Mount Everest is also a Vacheron Constantin Overseas time watch.
There is almost no room for mistakes in climbing, just like making a high-end watch.
Photo: Corey Richards "Between Horizons" photographic art exhibition
In the exhibition, we not only see Richards' photographs from Nepal, India, Abu Dhabi, Peru, the United States and other places, but also many masterpieces of Vacheron Constantin's luxury sports timepieces.
Photo: Corey Richards "Between Horizons" photographic art exhibition
Speaking of which, visiting the mountains and climbing high and looking far have also been the favorite of Chinese literati since ancient times. They are also happy to "be at the top of the mountain, see the mountains and small", and become "One of Not Many Exceptional".
To say that the uniqueness of Shanghai Shikumen architecture represented by Zhang Yuan lies in the combination of Western and Western architectural styles and weather-tested historical background, as well as the unique Shanghai cultural atmosphere formed by using it as a space.
Through the immersive space of Vacheron Constantin Masion 1755 Time Art "Home", we can still imagine the life of the citizens who lived here, they thrived here, and witnessed the prosperity and vicissitudes of Shanghai.
And the continuous operation of timepiece works is just like the flow of people's lives in the world.