In the Flow of Gold: The Golden Exhibition in Collaboration with Guo Pei
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On display until July 6th, the exhibition Threads of Gold at the Musée du Quai Branly is ready to amaze you. Created in collaboration with designer Guo Pei, this installation offers an unprecedented journey into the heart of the history of gold, fashion, and civilizations, all punctuated by the creations of the Chinese couturier. Taking us across various continents and periods, the exceptional pieces and the informative yet playful narrative make this exhibition a guaranteed source of discovery and wonder!
Threads of Gold: The Museum of Quai Branly’s Invitation to Travel
From North Africa to the Far East, the exhibition Threads of Gold takes us on a unique journey into the heart of the Musée du Quai Branly. Gathering pieces dating from Roman to modern times, including treasures from the Byzantine era, the installation reveals a collection of fascinating items, with styles, patterns, colors, and inspirations that transport us between Japan, Egypt, India, and Cambodia.
A Look at the History of Gold, Fashion, and Civilization
Where the exhibition Threads of Gold stands out is in the richness of its narrative. Indeed, the installation provides a perspective on the history of gold, from how it was discovered to how it was learned to be used in textiles. It also reflects on the evolution of clothing, its function, and its use, as well as the relationship of various civilizations to clothing (traditions, ceremonies…) and how influences and inspirations have blended over the years.
Covering a broad timeline and geographical area (without losing focus and making relevant highlights), the exhibition Threads of Gold aims to be very informative and comprehensive, while offering a perfect balance between pieces and texts. One thus learns more about the customs of other cultures, with well-thought-out and presented explanations.
Threads of Gold and the Creativity of Guo Pei
The exhibition is created in collaboration with Chinese designer Guo Pei. Known for her exceptional pieces rich in gold, it is only natural that this dialogue has been included as a golden thread for this exhibition. Moreover, the legacy (both technical and narrative) conveyed through her work resonates perfectly with the timeline of the installation.
Rich in symbolism and showcasing astonishing craftsmanship (some pieces requiring more than 50,000 hours of work), the creations add a couture aspect to the exhibition without overshadowing the rest. Among the works included in the exhibition, we rediscover one of the couturier’s iconic dresses, which she has recreated for the occasion in 5 small-scale models.
Unlike the Louvre Couture exhibition, where pieces got lost in the decor, here, the designer’s golden creations are displayed in black cocoons that highlight the work of gold, embroidery, and every handcrafted detail. These silhouettes beautifully punctuate our journey, and the reactions I heard all expressed admiration for these creations.
Personally, I had the chance a few years ago to meet the designer and see her pieces that fascinated me up close. I was therefore delighted to rediscover her work at the heart of the exhibition Threads of Gold, and even more so in the way they are showcased.
As you may have guessed, we can only recommend that you discover this exhibition! Furthermore, it can be visited with family, thanks to various fun explanatory panels designed for younger audiences, as well as different stamps to track your progress.
It is also good to know that the Musée du Quai Branly is on the list of places that are free to enter every first Sunday. So, if you have nothing planned this weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity to go discover the exhibition Threads of Gold! (It is advisable to book a free ticket in advance on the website).
If you feel like continuing your cultural day with another visit, we recommend crossing the Seine to discover the third and final installment of the exhibition Fashion in Motion at the Palais Galliera.
