The Orchestration of Time – An arrangement of the slim d’Hermès watches. This is the theme for the mini art installation for VIP guests of Hermès which is also open to the public. It began on 16 June 2016 and runs till 26 June 2016. Located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the art installation features videos by French multidisciplinary artist Eric Vernhes (commissioned by Hermès), clocks with “mysterious” hands and displays of Slim d’Hermès timepieces. A xylophonist was also on hand to provide live music accompaniment. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Timmy / Elfa. 2016 Marina Bay Sands.
A mini art installation by Hermès for the brand’s VIP customers is also open to shoppers and visitors to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from 16 to 26 June 2016.
Known as “The Orchestration of Time: An arrangement of the Slim d’Hermès watches”, this installation is currently located along the pathway between the Hermès watch boutique and the Chanel boutique at The Grand Colonnade South’s Bay Level (level one).
This is a travelling art exhibition featuring installations and videos by French multidisciplinary artist, Eric Vernhes.
From what we understand, Vernhes, who has a degree in architecture, works on films and documentaries, and operates his own production company, les productions polaires.
According to vimeo.com, he began what is termed “deferred time video” in 2008, built into “dedicated projected paths and objects, using methods of dissociation and staging of text, sound, projections and images”.
With some understanding of “deferred time videos” as described above, one will better appreciate his work for this travelling Hermès exhibition which started in France before moving on to South Korea and Malaysia, followed by Singapore.
The videos by Vernhes are inspired by the Slim d’Hermès collection that was launched in 2015.
The Slim d’Hermès collection was designed by Philippe Delhotal, creative director at La Montre Hermès, and the main attraction is the stencilled-type Arabic numerals used for the hour indexes. The original typography was created by Philippe Apeloig.
This typography, unique to the watch dials of the Slim d’Hermès collection, are a noticeable aspect in the Vernhes videos.
Slim d’Hermès midnight blue in a 39.5mm steel case. This model was introduced in 2016 and houses the Manufacture H1950 automatic ultra-thin movement that is 2.6mm thick. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Timmy / Elfa. 2016 BaselWorld.
The art installation includes displays of the Slim d’Hermès watches. In addition, what appears to be clocks are mounted on the structures of the installation.
While these clocks have revolving hands, they will not make sense to passerbys as these are not the typical hour and minute hands.
Yes, these clocks with white dials feature artistic hands and they do make sense, especially for those who understand the fonts created by Philippe Apeloig and used in the Slim d’Hermès collection.
The two hands on each clock will actually form a different Arabic numeral as seen on the dials of the Slim d’Hermès collection.
Other related articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Hermès Sevres Boutique: What’s in store
ii. Slim d’Hermès Pocket Panthère: Eye-catching
iii. Slim d’Hermès Perpetual Calendar: Many, many Moons thereafter
iv. Hermès Arceau Pocket Chevaux Sauvages: Crystal clear cuts