In a collaboration between two greats in the world of artistry, Shepard Fairey and Hublot debut their latest work of art.
Shepard Fairey and Hublot release their latest beauty, the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
The new timepiece collab between the artist and watchmaker serves as a continuation of Fairey’s signature mandala symbol PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
The Art of Fusion is a concept that Swiss watch manufacturer Hublot (@hublot) prides itself on as a core brand principle. Consistently pushing boundaries and creating synergistic partnerships between art, sports, gastronomy and music, Hublot has remained one of the great innovators within the ever-evolving watchmaking world. Beloved for its collaborations between names that span the varying industries, the watchmaker utilizes the concept of fusion to create unique works of art that set them apart as culture innovators.
Just in time for Miami Art Week, Hublot recently revealed its latest masterpiece with longtime collaborator artist Shepard Fairey (@obeygiant): the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey. The all-black timepiece, which features Fairey’s signature mandala symbol within the watch’s face, represents not only watchmaking precision but a wearable piece of art that is limited to just 50 pieces available exclusively in North America. “Shepard Fairey is an artist of global significance, but first and foremost he is an artist of American significance, defining our changing and sometimes challenging times. For this reason, it is fitting that we produce an edition exclusively for the North American market that celebrates both the art and the artist and in the city he calls home,” shares Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.
Artist Shepard Fairey PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
To celebrate the launch, Hublot and Fairey revealed the beauty in his home city of Los Angeles among friends that included Jeremy Piven, Dee Murphy, Masego, DJ Z Trip and Vic Hovsepian, among others, at L.A. hot spot Delilah. Angelenos could also spot a large-scale visual activation of the artist’s work wrapping the Beverly Hills flagship boutique as well as an animated social media campaign.
Shepard Fairey is a name that’s long been associated with Miami as well, most notably for his largescale artwork in Miami’s most cutting-edge artistic neighborhood, Wynwood, where you can find his colorful murals inside the Wynwood Walls. As we gear up for the exciting week of art-filled activities, we chat with Fairey on the latest collaboration with Hublot and what makes it so special.
Up-close view of the new all-black timepiece on Fairey’s wrist. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
Tell us about your latest watch launch with Hublot: the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey. What are some of the most significant artistic elements of the timepiece?
Expanding on the latest Hublotx Shepard Fairey iteration released in 2020, we chose a watch from the Classic Fusion collection with the mandala as the centerpiece, anchoring the all-black design elements so unique to Hublot that intricately layer upon each other to add unexpected depth to the monotonal creation.
What makes the watch so unique?
Over the course of my watchmaking partnership with Hublot, I discovered that the mandala—a recurring theme of my work and an ongoing source of inspiration—lives in perfect harmony and balance within a timepiece, and it naturally became the centerpiece for my collaboration. In revisiting this design for this North American exclusive, we took this distinctive shape and married it with the Hublot signature all-black ceramic for a look that fuses our respective artworks together.
Exterior of Hublot’s Beverly Hills boutique with Fairey’s artwork PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
You’ve worked with the Swiss watch manufacturer for years. Tell us about how your collaborations have progressed over the years and how this latest masterpiece is a culmination of that.
Partnering with Hublot has given me a chance to experiment with my art in a different way. Hublot’s been very open to anything that I wanted to experiment with, and they take a lot of pride in pushing the envelope in terms of technique. Hublot has always gone through every length to make sure my vision comes to life.
An up-close view of the new all-black timepiece on Fairey’s wrist PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
Fairey wearing the latest release PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
How do you feel Hublot embodies the motto ‘Hublot Loves Art’?
It is Hublot’s disruptive approach to the art of watchmaking that is consistently first, unique and different. It’s amazing to work with the best of the best who are able to bring what is normally large-scale art to life on a timepiece. The watch becomes more than a timepiece—a creative work fusing both artists’ ideas.
The new collaboration between the artist and watchmaker serves as a continuation of Fairey’s signature mandala symbol. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
Artist Shepard Fairey outside Hublot’s Beverly Hills boutique PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBLOT
"PARTNERING WITH HUBLOT HAS GIVEN ME A CHANCE TO EXPERIMENT WITH MY ART IN A DIFFERENT WAY."
You also have a major presence in Miami. With Art Week approaching, what are you most looking forward to? Do you have any special activations with the brand we can look out for?
I’m looking forward to seeing fellow artists’ works come to life in Miami this year. I cannot share too much information at the moment, but Art Week is going to be very special this year.
Photography by: Hublot
