Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Collection: A Vibrant Tribute to Artistic Genius
Jean-Michel Basquiat needs no introduction, and Swatch knows that, so the Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Collection serves as a vibrant tribute to the game-changing contemporary artist.
This month marks the release of the fifth capsule collection of the Swatch Art Journey 2023, a project that focuses on the brand's love of trailblazing artists through unique watch designs inspired by the artists' work - naturally, Basquiat is part of the mix. Basquiat broke the boundaries of conventional art to put street art and its surrounding subcultures on the map and embraced it as an art form in itself, inspired not only by his Puerto Rican/Haitian roots but jazz, hip-hop, and his home of New York.
Three watches (titled after Basquiat's pieces) make up the Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Collection, filled with motifs, codes, and sketches from his existing works.
'Hollywood Africans' by Jean-Michel Basquiat channels the 1983 artwork of the same name. The dial of the bright yellow watch features the painting's trio of figures, which depicts rap musician Rammellzee, painter Toxic, and Basquiat himself.
'Ishtar' by Jean-Michel Basquiat, named after the Mesopotamian goddess of fertility and war, combines text and Roman numerals on the black dial with the strap covered with historical references and faces pulled from the painting.
The last piece, 'Untitled' by Jean-Michel Basquiat, has probably one of the artist's most famous signs on it, the Basquiat crown. Standing boldly on the dial, the crown speaks for itself, while the watch's final finishing touch is Basquiat's signature on the bottom strap.
Edgy compositions and the fearless spirit of the artist himself are injected into the timepieces, so it almost feels as though you're walking around the street with him on your wrist. If you're undecided on which watch to get, the Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT set might be the way forward for you. These three watches have slightly different details to the main three, but the message is the same - Basquiat was a true genius."
The Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Collection pays homage to Basquiat's groundbreaking contributions to contemporary art and his ability to merge street art with established art forms.
The Swatch Art Journey 2023, a project by Swatch, celebrates trailblazing artists by incorporating their work into unique watch designs. Basquiat, known for pushing the boundaries of conventional art and drawing inspiration from his multicultural background and the vibrant cultural scene of New York City, is a natural choice for this collection.
The Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Collection consists of three watches, each named after one of Basquiat's renowned pieces. "Hollywood Africans" showcases the trio of figures from the 1983 artwork, featuring rap musician Rammellzee, painter Toxic, and Basquiat himself. "Ishtar," named after the Mesopotamian goddess of fertility and war, combines text and Roman numerals on the dial and incorporates historical references and faces from the painting on the strap. The final piece, "Untitled," prominently displays Basquiat's famous crown symbol on the dial, with his signature adorning the bottom strap.
These timepieces capture the edgy compositions and fearless spirit of Basquiat's art, providing a sense of carrying a piece of his creativity with you wherever you go. The Swatch x JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT set offers a range of choices for those who appreciate Basquiat's genius. Additionally, there are three additional watches with slightly different details, maintaining the same message that Basquiat was a true genius.
By bringing together the world of art and timekeeping, Swatch pays homage to the artistic legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, ensuring his influential work continues to inspire and resonate with a wider audience.
