For the 75th anniversary of the iconic Serpenti, Bulgari moves its collaboration with Refik Anadol to the National Museum Thyssen-bornemisza in Madrid
The Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Serpenti collection with the award-winning audiovisual artist and director Refik Anadol. After the success of the exhibition at the Piazza del Duomo in Milan in 2021, and at the Saatchi Gallery in London last November, it is the turn of Madrid. The National Museum Thyssen-bornemisza is hosting the exhibition Bulgari Serpenti: 75 years of infinite tales from February 17 to April 16, 2023.
Over the centuries, the snake has been a powerful icon, a universal symbol of rebirth, transformation and evolution. In 1948, the Bulgari Serpenti collection made its first appearance in the form of elegant bracelet watches made with the famous tubogas technique. It became an instant success and has become one of Bulgari’s most desirable, iconic and recognizable emblems. The brand presents an exhibition that explores the imprint of the serpent in different spheres, from the past to the present day.
Jewelry pieces from the Serpenti line by Bulgari
The exclusive AI artwork developed by Refik Anadol will embark visitors on an immersive journey through the intricacies of an ever-changing serpent, showing its continuous rebirth and evolution. The firm’s extensive legacy, represented by some of the most significant jewels of the Serpenti line, coexists with the work of the Turkish artist. It will also be possible to visit in the Rodin Room of the museum an exhibition with a selection of Serpenti creations, from jewelry and timepieces to Bulgari’s historical archives. In this exhibition a thread is traced between antiquity and the contemporary.
Images of Bulgari’s Serpenti collection for its 75th anniversary.
This event presents an exclusive Serpenti high jewelry necklace with matching earrings, created exclusively for the anniversary. Named Serpenti Blue Heavens for the light blue colors of its manzanita and aquamarine design. This unique piece evokes the skies of Spain and Rome. The creation metaphorically shows the union between two countries. With two sublime Serpentes masterfully intertwined with each other, the legend of Serpenti is represented through Bulgari’s visionary craftsmanship and the art of precious stones in a new tale of wonders.
Exclusive Serpenti Blue Heavens necklace and the Rodin Room with the Bulgari Serpenti: 75 years of infinite tales exhibition at the National Museum Thyssen-bornemisza in Madrid.
A journey through painting, jewelry and technology
The National Museum Thyssen-bornemisza proposes a journey through different facilities to have the best experience and get to know the Serpenti line in depth. To begin the visit, an itinerary of sixteen paintings related to the references that define the uniqueness of Bulgari. Femininity, sensuality, luxury and charisma represented in a selection of paintings ranging from the fifteenth to the twentieth century.
Next is the exhibition in the Sala Rodin, where you can take a journey through the evolution of the icon and the Serpenti pieces over the decades.
Archival images of Serpenti: photography by Dan Beleiu and Marisa Berenson photographed by Gian Paolo Barbieri for Vogue.
And to end the journey, the digital installation born from the collaboration between Bulgari and Refik Anadol, which turns the garden of the museum into a living visual landscape where human ingenuity, shapes, colors and textures of nature merge.
You can visit the exhibition Bulgari Serpenti: 75 years of infinite talesuntil April 16 at the National Museum Thyssen-bornemisza in Madrid.
Monday from 12:00 to 16:00. Free access
Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Included in the museum entrance fee
