Vacheron Constantin and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have more in common than meets the eye. One produces timepieces, the other, time capsules. Both are dedicated to the act of preservation—and to re-examining history in order to make it feel dynamic, alive and relevant to the present moment. The two organizations began collaborating on a series of programs in 2023, with a banner initiative unveiled only recently: the Artisan Residency Program.
The three inaugural residents are poised to experience the best kind of artisan boot camp. They will receive 18 months of mentorship, traveling between the Met in New York and Vacheron Constantin's maison in Geneva. The experience will culminate with the production of novel, original works that reflect their artisanal practices. The trio will receive dedicated studio space at the musem, full access to its archives and collections, and an up-close introduction to the watchmaker's processes of aenameling, guillochage, engraving and gem-setting.
The lucky artists—chosen from more than 100 applicants by jury of educators, curators, conservators, and artists—are woodworker Aspen Golann, jewelry maker Joy Harvey, and ceramicist Ibrahim Said. All three are "people who are truly looking at this idea of material and craft, and are very interested in this notion of virtuosity," says Heidi Holder, the museum's chair of education.
They also blend techniques of the past with a distinctly 21st century point of view. Golann is known for manipulating iconic American furniture forms to create contemporary works that critique the history of American decorative arts. Said blends the virtuosity he inherited from his potter family in Fustat, Cairo, with the broader history of Egyptian ceramics to create objects that push the limits of clay. And the Italian-born Joy Harvey draws on her training in chemistry as well as jewelry design to create perfectly imperfect necklaces.
“We have this total fascination with objects of the past—thinking about how craft is lost," Golann says. "This is giving us a length of time to build something at that same level of intention [as artisans of the past did]."
The residency is not designed to foster the creation of sellable products, but rather projects push the boundaries of craft even further.
"Sharing values through traditional techniques and craftsmanship makes a lot of sense to us," says Vacheron Constantin Creative Director Volker Gehr. "It feels honest and meaningful."
Indeed, for an artist and craftsperson, what better gift is there to receive than space—and time—to create?
