- The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, lit up to celebrate the “Tree of life” with a specially designed light show from French luxury Maison and the curator of the “Tree of Life”, Christofle.
- A specially curated marvelous piece of art, the ‘Tree of Life’ by Christofle, measuring 2m high and weighing nearly 100kg, beautifully fuses the cultural influences of the East and the West with the UAE landmark Burj Khalifa as the centerpiece.
- The piece was designed as a tribute to the “Year of the 50th” UAE Golden Jubilee.
- After one month at Expo 2020, “The Tree of life” is now located at Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue until early 2022.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Christofle, the Parisian silversmith Maison owned by Chalhoub Group, paid tribute to the UAE’s “Year of the 50th” with a spectacular light show projection of its latest handcrafted “Tree of Life” masterpiece on December 15th. Specially crafted in celebration of Expo 2020 Dubai, this marvelous piece has now landed at the Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue and will be displayed until early 2022 following its appearance at Chalhoub Group’s temporary exhibition on “French art de Vivre, a Dream to Share” at the France Pavilion.
The “Tree of Life” was imagined by the artisans of La Maison Christofle in its workshops at the heart of the Yainville factory in Normandy, France. Measuring 2m high and weighing nearly 100kg, the masterpiece is the result of 700 hours of work, beautifully fusing the cultural influences of the East and the West.
Swarmed with butterflies, the silver gold, lacquered, and engraved tree artfully shapes into a globe whose roots originate in France, the home of Christofle. Branches and butterflies are symbolic of Christofle’s transition from the past to the future and the connections of the continents as well as the influence and implantation of Christofle throughout the world. At its center, the globally recognised UAE landmark, Burj Khalifa, shaped and chiseled by hand, emerges like the desert flower from which its design was inspired.
Commenting on the magnificent light show that took place, Patrick Chalhoub, Group President, Chalhoub Group, said: “Christofle holds a very special place in our Group’s history. The beauty and elegance of French craftsmanship inspired my parents, Michel and Widad Chalhoub, and led to the opening of the first Christofle boutique in 1955 laying the foundation of our family business. Today, more than 65 years later, I feel extremely proud to see the Christofle light show being projected on the iconic Burj Khalifa, paying a tribute to the UAE “Year of the 50th” and re-iterating our commitment towards this nation.”
Since inception, La Maison Christofle has continuously marked universal exhibitions with its presence, and in 1851, Christofle was awarded the prize medal at the very first Universal Exhibition in London.
Maison Christofle uses entirely handmade manufacturing highlighting the rich know-how of French craftsmanship, while offering a look into how innovation is driving the future of luxury art de vivre. It is this irreplaceable know-how perpetuated by highly qualified craftsmen transmitted from teacher to student that constitutes the living heritage of Christofle.
ABOUT THE TREE OF LIFE – THE STORY:
The artisan house curated “Tree of Life”, symbolizing Christofle’s attachment to its history, roots, and international influence while also showcasing the unique goldsmith’s expertise and skills that have made the brand famous since its creation in 1830.
- Size: 2 meters high, 1 meter in diameter
- Weight: Almost 100 kg, including 1 kg of sterling silver and 21 grams of gold
- Structure: With decades of expertise and artful technique, the artisans of La Maison Christofle designed the beautifully and intricately crafted 200cm piece, composed of 37 structural elements and decorated with 142 butterflies. It takes its roots in France, the cradle of the brand, then develops into a globe. In its centre, the Burj Khalifa tower emerges like the desert flower from which its design was inspired. Gold and silver butterflies each lacquered, engraved, or set with stones adorn the branches, which were polished and chiseled by hand.
- The Tree of Life, with its branches and roots, is an allegory of Christofle’s transition from the past to the future in the world, where branches and butterflies are symbolic of the connections of the continents as well as the influence and implantation of Christofle throughout the world.
ABOUT CHRISTOFLE:
Christofle is a French luxury House that embodies the French art of living. Christofle speaks to all those who believe that beauty, elegance, and refinement enhance the shared moments, making them even more powerful and precious.
A silversmith since 1830, Christofle has been perpetuating its exceptional know-how by constantly updating its offer, which today spans every aspect of the art of living – the conviviality of dining, exchanges around the bar, a taste for beauty through décor, the pleasure of gifting through jewelry and accessories and, lastly, a sense of celebrating children of all ages.
In addition to its studio’s creations, Christofle collaborates with renowned designers and artists to produce ambitious pieces illustrating its know-how. Produced by the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Best Craftsmen in France), these pieces – works by artists and designers, historical reprints and reproductions, custom-made or exceptional orders – are all crafted in the Christofle workshops in Yainville, Normandy.
Present in 70 countries, the French art of living by Christofle is available worldwide through its website and online shop www.christofle.com.
ABOUT CHRISTOFLE AND TANAGRA:
Since Tanagra opened its first store in 1980 in Kuwait, Salhiya Complex, Christofle and Tanagra have an ongoing collaboration continuously offering exceptional silversmithing know-how and techniques and offering excellence and craftsmanship into the stores.Tanagra offers an inspiring, refined and edited array of lifestyle items and art de vivre in addition to expert advice and unique services.
ABOUT CHALHOUB GROUP:
With a legacy of 65 years, Chalhoub Group is a leading partner, curator and creator of luxury products and services in the Middle East. An expert in hybrid retail, distribution and marketing services, the Group is the foremost player in the luxury beauty, fashion, and art de vivre categories regionally with a portfolio of 5 own brands and over 300 global brands.
Chalhoub Group embraces an innovation mindset, coupled with a desire to constantly redefine luxury in the region. Chalhoub Group caters to its customers across multiple channels, including 680 experiential retail stores, online and through mobile apps. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group has a strong workforce of more than 12,000 skilled, talented, and passionate people in 7 countries. As a people-centric and responsible employer, Chalhoub Group is ranked third in the Middle East and second in Saudi Arabia as a Great Place to Work®.
Alongside business and people priorities, Chalhoub Group is also a sustainability champion. The Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact Community and signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Chalhoub Group was awarded its seventh CSR Label from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and has its own incubator space for innovation and entrepreneurship, “The Greenhouse”.
