Gucci opens exhibition with iconic designs from the brand

The luxury brand, Gucci, opens today (28) the exhibition "Gucci Cosmos," designed by renowned contemporary British artist Es Devlin and curated by Italian fashion theorist and critic Maria Luisa Frisa. This playful journey through the past, present, and future of Gucci is presented in eight 'worlds' of exhibitions that gather treasures from the brand's archive.

Each of the worlds traces a different aspect of Gucci, its unwavering principles since its founding in 1921, and its ever-renewed inspirations and creativity - from the budding ambitions of founder Guccio Gucci to the pioneering spirit of his sons Aldo and Rodolfo, and the extremely imaginative powers of the most recent creative directors Tom Ford, Frida Giannini, and Alessandro Michele.

World 1: Portals

The first of the eight worlds of Gucci Cosmos, 'Portals,' tells the story of the founding father of the brand, Guccio Gucci, and the ongoing resonances of the brand during his time as a young man working as a porter at The Savoy hotel in London.

World 2: Zoetrope

Gucci has long drawn inspiration from the equestrian world, a connection celebrated in Gucci Cosmos 'Zoetrope' with its circular space punctuated by immersive large-format screens, presenting evocative video images accompanied by a rhythmical soundscape of galloping and a narration that recites words inspired by horseback rides, in the same rhythm.

World 3: Eden

'Eden,' the third world in Gucci Cosmos, brings to life the tale of Flora, an exquisite and delicately naturalistic image of plants and fauna from 1966.

World 4: Two

Leaving the vibe of 'Eden,' visitors encounter a pair of monumental 10-meter-tall white statues. Positioned as if guarding the entrance of an ancient temple, they symbolize the brand's pioneering belief in unisex fashion and its ability to change societal ideas and behaviors.

World 5: Archivio

Entering the 'Archivio' world of Gucci Cosmos is to explore the origins of the brand's most iconic bags. In a breathtaking space with a mirrored ceiling that creates a sense of infinity, a series of labyrinthine corridors reminiscent of the Gucci Archive in Florence is lined with an abundance of cabinets and drawers.

World 6: Cabinet of Wonders

At the center of the circular world of the 'Cabinet of Wonders' is a rotating cabinet of curiosities. Standing three meters tall, a monolithic cube covered in dark red lacquer is filled with drawers and compartments that slide mechanically in and out, revealing an extremely eclectic collection of clothing, accessories, and curiosities.

World 7: Carousel

In 'Carousel,' a parade of 32 mannequins dressed in Gucci clothing from the 1970s to the present slides smoothly, like models on a constantly moving runway. As the looks spin around the platform, illustrations from selected Chinese artists, including Victo Ngai, Vikki Zhang, Li Jianmei, and Currynew converge in a collective illustration, forging more dialogues and strengthening creative ties between continents.

World 8: Duomo

Gucci Cosmos culminates appropriately in 'Duomo,' a spectacular homage to the city. Two large-scale reproductions of Filippo Brunelleschi's revolutionary 15th-century dome for the Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, one inverted under the other, are reached along a suspended observation platform.

The inauguration of Gucci Cosmos takes place at the West Bund Art Center, Shanghai, China, starting today, April 28, 2023, and will run until June 25. Afterward, the exhibition will travel the world.