Bvlgari The National Art Center, Tokyo and Bvlgari are hosting “Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colour, Culture and Craft”, Bvlgari’s largest exhibition to date in Japan

[Bulgari] The National Art Center, Tokyo and Bulgari are holding Bulgari’s largest exhibition in Japan to date, “Bulgari Kaleidos: Color, Culture, Craftsmanship” ​ Bvlgari Japan LLC Press Release: July 22, 2025 Attention Media Members [Bulgari] The National Art Center, Tokyo and Bulgari will hold Bulgari’s largest exhibition to date in Japan, “Bulgari Kaleidos: Color, Culture, Craftsmanship” From jewelry to contemporary art, the exhibition features approximately 350 masterpieces boasting rich hues, offering a journey through a world of vibrant colors like a
kaleidoscope.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-6053f896eb13c0dea253e665dad571a6-1909×2700.jpg Bulgari, the Roman high jeweler. The exhibition “Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colour, Culture, Craft”, which highlights Bvlgari’s unparalleled skill in manipulating colour, is being held with the support of the Italian Embassy in Japan and will be the first Bvlgari exhibition in Japan in 10 years and the largest ever. This exhibition, which will run from September 17 (Wed) to December 15 (Mon), 2025 at the National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT), invites visitors on a rich exploration of a kaleidoscope of jewelry, art and craftsmanship through the evocative language of color. The exhibition title “Kaleidos”, derived from the Greek words meaning “beautiful (kalos)” and “form (eidos)”, symbolizes a journey through a dynamic and ever-changing world of color where beauty and creativity are in harmony. Approximately 350 pieces of jewelry, masterpieces of color, selected from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection and valuable private collections, trace the Maison’s history from its beginnings to the present, highlighting the deep connection between Italy and Japan, and celebrating the two countries’ shared passion for art and design and rich cultural heritage. In addition, three contemporary female artists, Lara Favaretto, Mariko Mori, and Akiko Nakayama, will exhibit works based on color, adding a deeper emotional color to the exhibition. Combining high jewelry, creations from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection, contemporary art, precious documents from the Bvlgari Historical Archives, and immersive installations, “Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colour, Culture, Craft” is a kaleidoscopic exhibition of various creative and emotional
experiences. Through a multifaceted journey where images, interactive spaces and artistic dialogue bring to life the world of Bvlgari colours, you will be able to appreciate the Maison’s mastery of gemstones and precious metals. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bvlgari Group, said: “Bvlgari has always believed in the timeless power of color to tell stories. The Kaleidos exhibition celebrates Bvlgari’s rich heritage, and every piece of jewelry on display embodies a fusion of culture, craftsmanship and a passion for nature’s extraordinary colors, starting with the magnificent gemstones that have made Bvlgari famous. Following the launch of the Polychroma High Jewelry collection, this exhibition celebrates Bvlgari’s ability to reinterpret color and form, marking a new chapter in our journey through the world of color. Tokyo, like Bvlgari, is a city where timeless tradition and bold innovation live in harmony. “Bvlgari’s longstanding ties to Japan, a country that has long celebrated the artistry, craftsmanship and finesse that are at the heart of Bvlgari, make this exhibition even more meaningful. We are honored to be able to share nearly 350 masterpieces that are a testament to Bvlgari’s dynamic and timeless spirit with people in Japan and around the world.” The Italian Ambassador to Japan, Gianluigi Benedetti, commented: “The Italian Embassy in Japan is honored to sponsor the exhibition “Bvlgari Kaleidos: Color, Culture and Craft” at the National Art Center, Tokyo. This wonderful project is a testament to the mutual respect and fruitful exchange that has long linked Italy and Japan, and celebrates the shared values of beauty, creativity and craftsmanship through the universal language of art.” Revolution in Color Bvlgari is perhaps the only high jeweler to have transformed color into its own art form by creating truly colorful jewelry masterpieces. The history of the Maison is deeply linked to the bold use of colorful gemstones, which remains the most important source of inspiration for Bvlgari high jewelry today. While the early
silversmithing by founder Sotirio Bvlgari showed a strong interest in color, the real revolution took place in the 20th century. In the early 1900s, traditional high jewellery was dominated by a limited palette of colours, favouring monochromatic designs in platinum, but after World War II, Italy became the epicentre of a colour revolution. In the 1950s, Bvlgari pioneered the bold combination of yellow gold with sapphires, rubies and emeralds, paired with diamonds. They also embraced stones once considered semi-precious, such as amethyst, citrine and turquoise, appreciating their vibrant hues and beauty potential, and expressing their intensity through Bvlgari’s signature cabochon cut. This fearless approach to colour became a hallmark of the Bvlgari style and cemented the Maison’s reputation as the “Magician of Coloured Stones”. The exhibition’s curator, Bvlgari Heritage Curator Direk Auclémanne, said: “For more than 140 years, Bvlgari has cultivated a bold aesthetic in which color is not just an accent, but a signature of the Maison. It felt natural and inevitable to organize an exhibition focusing on color within the Bvlgari universe. With its outstanding craftsmanship and keen eye for gemstones, the Maison has transformed each piece of jewelry into a work of art that celebrates light, emotion and the Roman spirit, like a painter’s brushstrokes. Bvlgari is a true artist of color.” The exhibition explores Bvlgari’s color revolution through three chapters. Chapter 1, “The Science of Color,” approaches the science of color effects and reveals their interplay through a selection of iconic jewelry. Never exhibited outside Italy, the “Bracelet” (circa 1940) in gold and platinum with diamonds and citrine evokes the warm golden tones of a Roman sunset through the rich orange spectrum of the gemstones.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-20f98463b611562a10f0899001c0933b-3900×2804.jpg 《Bracelet》 Gold, platinum, citrine, diamond Bvlgari Heritage Collection, circa 1940 Next to it, the striking Bangle (1954-55) in platinum with cabochon-cut sapphires, rubies and diamonds celebrates Bvlgari’s signature contrast of red and blue. This iconic colour combination is further accentuated by the Maison’s signature cabochon cut, enhancing the gemstone’s depth, brilliance and colour intensity. This chapter also introduces a stunning necklace and earring set that boldly combines emeralds, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds. You can enjoy Bvlgari’s bold use of color and original combinations of gemstones.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-587c39f38cff66a2a98e1d12b25fdc7d-3900×2804.jpg 《Bangle》 Gold, platinum, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, 1954-55, Bvlgari Heritage Collection
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-4bdacde44409c9770c72b720648ff185-2640×2700.jpg “Bib” Necklace” Gold, platinum, emeralds, amethysts, turquoise, diamonds, 1968, Lynn Revson, Bvlgari Heritage Collection
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-f236c62e89ad920e92ebb86541263a78-3450×2480.png 《Pendant Earrings》 Gold, platinum, emeralds, amethyst, turquoise, diamonds, 1968, Lynn Revson, Bvlgari Heritage Collection Chapter 2, “Color Symbolism,” delves deeper into the cultural and symbolic aspects of color and how meanings and emotions can be conveyed through color choices. Of particular note are rare jade jewelry and the legendary “Necklace” (1961), a platinum necklace with diamonds and seven magnificent emeralds. This special piece of jewelry, called “Seven Wonders,” has been worn by famous people such as Italian actresses Monica Vitti and Gina Lollobrigida. It once belonged to the Invernizzi Collection and was exhibited in Tokyo 10 years ago, but is now part of the Bvlgari Heritage Collection and is attracting attention again.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-f443d927dfcda861a6f5a21f74755960-3900×3792.jpg “necklace” Platinum, emeralds and diamonds, 1961 Bvlgari Heritage Collection The final chapter, The Power of Light, focuses on the role of light in our perception of color, and examines how it behaves in reflective materials, particularly silver and gold. This illuminating journey is brought to life through rare jewellery featuring fancy colour diamonds and pearls, and reaches a breathtaking finale with a unique masterpiece, the Convertible Sautoir Bracelet, created around 1969. This exceptional piece, both a sautoir and a bracelet, embodies the richness of Bvlgari’s colors and stories, especially with its many colored stones. Set in yellow gold with amethysts, turquoise, citrine, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, it perfectly reflects the kaleidoscopic spirit of the exhibition.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-78e03bf3df69df65f05b14849a2eb5d6-1909×2700.jpg Convertible Sautoir Bracelet Gold, amethyst, turquoise, citrine, ruby, emerald, diamonds circa 1969 Bvlgari Heritage Collection The finale is an exquisite Serpenti evening bag (circa 1978) in three-tone gold with silk cord and diamonds. This precious bag is a testament to the legendary success of Bvlgari’s Melone bag, one of the most
sought-after and coveted of its time. A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, it features gold interwoven with white, red and a rare blue-green hue called “acqua di mare” in Italian, embodying the Maison’s masterful goldsmithing skills.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/5631/1673/5631-1673-34046e80e250b30ead440e1c66eafcba-3900×2925.jpg “Serpenti” evening bag, white, red, “Seawater” green gold, silk cord, diamonds, circa 1978, Bvlgari Heritage Collection The Art of Color Color has long been one of the most powerful inspirations in art, with painters, sculptors, jewelers and artisans using it to communicate emotion and represent the world. This exhibition highlights the shared passion for color in high jewelry and fine art through Bvlgari’s bold and colorful designs, which have influenced not only jewelry but also artists in various disciplines. The three women artists invited to the exhibition, Lara Favaretto, Mariko Mori and Akiko Nakayama, each enrich this dialogue through their new works and deepen the
exhibition’s consideration of color as a force of transformation and perception. Lara Favaretto’s site-specific installation Level 5 is comprised of rotating, colorful car wash brushes. Removed from their industrial context, the car wash brushes become soft, sculptural objects that explore the boundaries between the mechanical and the organic through a hypnotic visual meditation that fuses the energies of movement, rhythm, and color. Mariko Mori’s Onogoro Stone III evokes a sacred creation myth inspired by the Kojiki and combines futuristic materials with spiritual minimalism to create a meditative space symbolizing cosmic balance. It offers a deep dive into personal yet universal origins through the symbolic power of color and form. Akiko Nakayama’s dynamic installation Echo projects water, sound and mineral pigments into a mixture of shifting, fluid forms throughout the space. It is an “Alive Painting” where art, nature and physics intertwine in ever-changing light. In dialogue with the dazzling Convertible Sautoir-Bracelet (c. 1969) from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection, Nakayama’s work encapsulates the ephemeral beauty of ever-changing colors. The path of art, where Italy and Japan meet The venue design for this exhibition will be handled by Bvlgari in collaboration with SANAA, a Japanese architectural unit led by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, and Formafantasma, an Italian design unit. It will highlight the shared passion for art and design between Japan and Italy. Inspired by the mosaic patterns of the baths built by the ancient Roman Emperor Caracalla, the design concept reflects Bvlgari’s cultural heritage through curved forms, sophisticated translucent materials and color effects, leading visitors on a sensory journey through a world of color. Formafantasma will also design special free-standing display cases for the masterpieces of the Bvlgari Heritage Collection. The Maison’s Roman roots and the elegant Japanese aesthetic will blend beautifully, opening an artistic path that will bring Bvlgari’s creativity to the very heart of its essence. SANAA provided the following comment: For the exhibition “Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colour, Culture and Craft”, we wanted to create a space where light, colour and reflection would take visitors on a journey of discovery – a space that would unravel the depths of Bvlgari craftsmanship and culture while building a poetic bridge between Italy and Japan. Inspired by the mosaic patterns of the ancient Baths of Caracalla and the shapes of Tokyo’s ginkgo leaves, the exhibition will be a living kaleidoscope of stories, symbols and emotions.” The exhibition will open with the presentation of two masterpieces from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection, which will be exhibited at the Bvlgari Art Museum in Tokyo. The first is the “Temple” paperweight (circa 1977) in yellow gold with lapis lazuli, onyx and diamonds, modelled on the façade of an ancient Roman temple, while the second is the circular “Mount Fuji” brooch (circa 1972) in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl, polychrome enamel and diamonds. These harmonious pieces symbolise the shared quest for craftsmanship, attention to detail and eternal love of beauty in both countries. Miyajima Ayako, a senior researcher at the National Art Center, Tokyo, said: “Founded in Rome, Bulgari has always drawn inspiration from the Eternal City, but at the same time, it also pays a respectful attention to the history of various countries and regions around the world, including Japan, and skillfully weaves them into the creation of its jewelry. This exhibition will be a rare opportunity to experience the unique creativity of the Maison, which is open to such diverse cultures, through the symbolic lens of “color.” Event Overview Exhibition name Bvlgari Kaleidos Colors, Culture, and Techniques Dates Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 – Monday, December 15th, 2025 Closed days Every Tuesday *However, open on Tuesday, September 23rd (Holiday) and closed on Wednesday, September 24th. Opening hours 10:00-18:00, until 8:00 every Friday and Saturday *Admission is 30 minutes before closing time Venue National Art Museum, Special Exhibition Room 2E 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558 https://www.nact.jp Organised National Art Museum, Bvlgari Sponsored Italian Embassy in Japan Admission fees General 2,300 yen, university students 1,000 yen, high school students 500 yen (all tax included) *Admission is free for junior high school students and younger *Admission is free for those who bring a disability certificate (including one attendant) *Admission is free for this exhibition. Detailed information will be posted on our website at a later date. Access ・Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Exit 6 of the ticket gate towards Aoyama Cemetery (directly connected to the museum) ・Approximately 5 minutes’ walk from Exit 4a of Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line ・Approximately 4 minutes’ walk from Exit 7 of Roppongi Station on the Toei Subway Oedo Line Image
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https://www.bulgari.com/ja-jp/stories/kaleidos-exhibition Museum homepage: https://www.nact.jp #Bvlgari #Kaleidos #BvlgariHeritage #BvlgariExhibition Details about this release *This email will be sent automatically, so please refrain from replying. Download press release material Copyright ©
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