Cartier: The Power of Magic
DATE
2024.11.6 - 2025.2.17
LOCATION
SHANGHAI MUSEUM EAST. SHANGHAI
Cartier: The Power of Magic is an exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of Cartier’s first-ever show in China. It features 332 jewels and objects—including 202 exquisite pieces from the Cartier Collection—alongside 96 archival documents and a rich array of Chinese cultural relics. Cai Guo-Qiang and his team created a custom AI model, cAI™, which served as the visual director of the exhibition and designed the display layout.
For this project, I worked closely with artist Cai Guo-Qiang to conceptualize how cAI™ could be trained to act as the exhibition’s visual director. I led the concept development through multiple rounds of text and image generation, which ultimately shaped the final deliverables. Throughout the iterative process, I collaborated closely with the artist, proposing new ideas and directions that met the needs of both Cartier and the Shanghai Museum, while also pushing the boundaries of how technology and craftsmanship could be presented.
Photo Courtesy Cartier
The exhibition space is designed with inspiration from the unique forms and aesthetics of Jiangnan gardens, and the silk panels in front of the surrounding display cases feature “Ink-Line Garden” and “Ni Zan Landscape”, imagined by cAI™ in response to the exhibition's theme.
“Ink-Line Garden” scene designed by cAI™, Photo Courtesy Cartier
“Ni Zan Landscape” designed by cAI™, Photo Courtesy Cartier
Specific sections of the silk panels are deliberately cut out based on different concepts and forms, revealing the jewels and objects displayed behind them. cAI™ went through multiple rounds of conceptualization and image generation for the backgrounds inside the display cases. After in-depth discussions and research with the artist, porcelain and stone carvings were ultimately chosen as the final background materials. These were intricately handcrafted by artisans from the artist’s hometown of Quanzhou, based on visual designs created by cAI™.
Top: Concept image generated by cAI™
Bottom: Final install photo by Kenryou Gu, courtesy Cai Studio
Top: Concept image generated by cAI™
Bottom: Final install photo by Kenryou Gu, courtesy Cai Studio
Photo Courtesy Cartier
Photo Courtesy Cartier