Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong, Olivia DeJonge Grace Opening Of Gucci Garden In Sydney

The immersive experience takes visitors into the sprawling creative world of Gucci

By Gloria Tso - published 18 Nov 2022

Gucci's traveling multimedia exhibition Gucci Garden has made its way to Sydney's Powerhouse Ultimo after traversing through Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul. First held in Florence, the exhibition takes visitors into the many worlds of creative director Alessandro Michele, bringing to life his vision and inspirations for Gucci's most seminal and conceptually adventurous campaigns over the years. "I thought it was interesting to accompany people in these almost eight years of adventure, inviting them to cross the imaginary, the narrative, the unexpected, the glitter."

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Michele's "playground of emotions" is visualised by design studio Archivio Personale through cutting-edge technology, elaborate hand-crafting and innovative interiors. Visitors access the exhibition via what appears to be a behind-the-scenes operation center, with a split-screen live view of the space they are about to enter. Each themed space takes on a life of its own, expressing the spirit of the collection it represents, just as the title of the exhibition suggests - archetypes being original forms from which all copies are made, never to be recreated again.

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There's the scented floral paradise of Gucci Bloom, where the three stars of the campaign, actress Dakota Johnson, artist and photographer Petra Collins, and actress-model Hari Nef find home in a hidden imaginary garden. The 50th anniversary homage to the Parisian youth of 'May 68,' presented by the Pre-Fall 2018 collection, is displayed across graffiti walls. The Gucci Beloved handbag lines - the Dionysus, Horsebit 1955 and timeless Jackie 1961 - are the star of the recreated Beloved Show campaign. And an LA subway carriage brings visitors back to the Fall/Winter 2015 campaign, Alessandro Michele's very first.

The catalogue is complemented by original prose from a variety of cultural personalities, including art critic Achille Bonito Oliva, philosopher Emanuele Coccia, artist and researcher Anna Franceschini, curator Antwaun Sargent, and sustainability and culture advisor Shaway Yeh. The exhibition will be open to the public from 17 November 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Read ahead to see pictures from Gucci Garden's glitzy opening night in Sydney, attended by the likes of Anderson.Paak, Olivia DeJonge and Kanawut 'Gulf' Traipipattanapong.