Perpetuelle Special Report:
Following the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, Audemars Piguet North America and Latin America called on eight artists to create Royal Oak wall clocks as a gift to those working for Audemars Piguet in Japan. The result equally was sentimental and spectacular. Four months after the quake, the clocks were delivered along with a letter of support signed by all AP executives and the request that AP Japan use the clocks unconditionally, in whatever manner they saw fit. Since the end of 2011, the clocks have been on display in the AP Ginza Boutique in Tokyo. Recently, Audemars Piguet of Japan informed AP Switzerland that they had made the decision to auction the clocks to raise money in support of the continuing relief efforts in the country.
The auction began on the 1st of June. The eight Audemars Piguet Royal Oak clocks will be displayed in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the Royal Oak Exhibition (currently on “world tour”) from the 11th-16th of July, in Tokyo. Upon completion, all auction proceeds will be given to the Japan Red Cross Society as part of AP Japan’s “Support Japan” effort to raise 100 million Yen (about $1.3 million USD). Proceeds raised will complement the those from the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore GINZA 7 and Royal Oak Offshore GINZA 7 Forged Carbon Watch and the 40 original Audemars Piguet clocks signed by world famous celebrities and AP ambassadors, as I profiled in July of 2011.
The eight Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wall clocks that were created for this charitable effort full of beauty and emotion, and I want to share them all with you now. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate this Perpetuelle Exclusive Report.
Eight Audemars Piguet Wall Clocks for “Support Japan”
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #1
by Octavio Garcia, Chief Artistic Officer, Audemars Piguet
Artist Message: The crane is a highly symbolic bird in many culture. In Japan, the Tancho (the Japanese crane) is regarded as a majestic and elegant bird, considered as a symbol of hope, happiness and longevity.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #2
by Roberto Faraone Mennella & Amedeo Scognamiglio
Artist Message: We designed a heart to remind of the Japanese traditional color, but in the shape of Love for the Japanese people. We used genuine Mediterranean red coral, which is a symbol of hope and good luck in the Italian tradition and in the Japanese one as well. Both our families have had close ties to Japan since the beginning of the XIX century, trading coral between Europe and Japan. This genuine coral signifies our emotional bond with Japan, and our sincere sentiments of hope. Ganbare Nippon!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #3
by David Barton, Broadcast Motion Graphic Designer
Artist Message: David uses art as the bond that links three generations of Japanese ancestry. He places family above everything in life, and defines himself as both father and son. Yasuoko, David’s mother, is a skilled teacher of Ikebana flower arranging, trained in the Sogetsu school. It was only in his early adult life that he was able to understand the thought provoking approach his mother took to natural elements to create art, which has influenced the foreground. Nayiri, David’s daughter, is incredibly talented, and creative, as many 5 year old’s are. Her lighthearted approach to art is an inspiration. David attempts to display water as a restoration of Japan’s beauty, rather than a means of destruction through the backdrop, which is the water painting of his daughter. David composed with a limited color palette, giving each element a single tone, so that each element could clearly be defined independently, but are equally complementary. David asked Yasuko to watch over his kanjii characters, ‘Sansei Dai’ just as she did in his youth. “Sansei Dai” is a focus on family, nature and postive energy created. Japan is in need of healing. Three generations of Japanese ancestry, no matter how far away, can come together and form something unique and beautiful, is David’s foundation. Family bond is forever, and the strength of the Japanese spirit will make it whole again.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #4
by Damian Park, Financial Market Trader
Artist Message: The clock face is a representation of Japan’s resilience and strength in the face of tragedy. The rough landscape on the right hand side of the clock represents the earthquake and tsunami and the red represents the loss of lives that occurred on March 11th, thus it is on the 11 marker. The dichotomy of tragedy; the symbolic cherry blossom represents the beauty of Japan’s rebirth, resilience and growth from the chaos of March 11th.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #5
by Howar Parr, Audemars Piguet & Jaeger-LeCoultre Forum Moderator
Artist Message: The message of the clock I painted is that turbulence makes history as a second hand marks time. Acute and persuasive, though forever servile to the resolute and enduring spirit that it is Japan. I imagined the hands and their axis to be a point of suspension for Japan during these tenuous times, and while the turbulence roared around them, they were solidly insulated by the character of their people.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #6
by Dr. Thomas Mao, Alexandra & Vivien Mao, Founder, ThePuristS
Artist Message: The Tanabata festival is the annual star festival held in Japan. It is in this spirit of wishing and hope that a popular Tanabata custom is to write one’s wishes on a piece of paper, and hang that piece of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree, in the hope that the wishes become true. When my father, Dr. Thomas Mao, presented this monumental project to my sister Vivien and me, we immediately knew that we wanted to design this special wall clock with the image of hope and wishes. Not only were we representing ThePuristsS’ name, we were also in charge of relaying the prayers of the community. After March 11th, Japan has been the subject of hope and prayers around the world. We hope that by painting this scene on this clock, we will be able to remind people of the constant hope that is alive for Japan’s well being.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #7
by Yasuyoshi Botan, Artist
Artist Message: A small world unfolds within a clock. When, on occasion, we catch a glimpse of this world, the world in which we dwell seems to move very slowly, inspiring us to consider what the future might hold. And as the hands of the clock continue turning, we wonder who might be watching them. (Editor’s Note: translated)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock #8
by Yukio Fujimoto, Artist
Artist Message: Both cruel and wonderful things occur every day of our lives. All things are born, and then die, on a single day. Perhaps this is the same as the passage of time. (Editor’s Note: translated)
