LVMH Métiers D'Art, the Josèfa Ntjam Exhibition and the Party in Paris

An abandoned building in the heart of Paris. A scenographic and powerful exhibition, despite its compactness. A cocktail party with a DJ set full of good vibes. The designer of the three-dimensional sculptures and paintings is Josèfa Ntjam , a French artist and performer of African origins who willingly mixes science fiction universes and ancestral mythologies. And for a year she compared herself with Jade , a Portuguese producer of haut de gamme metalware, as part of the eighth edition of the LVMH Métiers d'Art artistic residency. For the company founded in 2015 with the aim of bringing together under one umbrella manufacturers and artisans from all over the world chosen for the excellence of their know-how, including Jade, the principle is clear: stimulate business (even beyond outside the various brands of the LVMH group which may or may not use it) to project companies into the future and preserve their uniqueness. But also pushing them outside their comfort zone, making them dialogue with different worlds, first and foremost that of art.

The exhibition, entitled une cosmogonie des océans and inaugurated in rue de Richelieu a few steps from what will be the new headquarters of LVMH Métiers d'Art by the summer, can be visited until 25 March. An appointment lasting a few days, whose meaning transcends that of a pure exhibition and which speaks primarily to the younger generations with a language similar to them.

“For the world of fashion or art, a presentation of this kind may seem normal, but here the protagonist is a production reality that normally remains behind the scenes,” Matteo de Rosa , the CEO of LVMH Métiers d' Assisi, explained to L'OFFICIEL 'Art under whose leadership the overall turnover jumped to around 700 million euros in 2023, compared to 80 million at the beginning. The entire Jade team took part in the vernissage, involved in the annual artistic residency experienced by Joséfa Ntjam between Portugal and Paris where Jade has a second office. A squad led by 26-year-old engineer Pedros Domingos, also a significant presence for de Rosa. “The meaning of these operations is twofold. On the one hand there is the pure creative challenge, because for a company used to working on small components of an accessory, the comparison with the dimensions of a statue or with the metallic and dégradé colors requested by Joséfa was complex. On the other hand, we thus demonstrate the opportunities offered by the group to those who are in the company or to those who are thinking of joining it”, underlined de Rosa. The other great objective of LVMH Métiers d'Art is in fact to make young people understand how broad the scenarios are that lie ahead for those who decide to enter the world of production. “Let's forget the vision of the craftsman who repeats the same gestures for life” , added the CEO, “ Working in one of the companies in various capacities present in the galaxy of our Métiers d'Art means access to experiences in other parts of the world and enrich your professional career". A precise message launched to young people, more essential than ever for the generational change which will massively affect the entire fashion and luxury sector in the coming years.

“Ntjam often asked us to follow her in ideas that seemed impossible to realise,” team leader Domingos told L'OFFICIEL , “she made us think outside the box and now we are inserting the solutions developed for her among the options to be offered to the group's customers and maisons ”. A further aspect that makes the artistic residencies of LVMH Métiers d'Art strategic, whose next artist/company combination for 2025 will be announced shortly.

Credits :

Artist: Josefa Ntjam
Studio Manager: Julien Arnaud
Set design: Ghost House
Set design construction: Föma Production
Illumination: Only Light
Exhibition space: Forest