Bvlgari (Instagram), the Roman high jeweller synonymous with bold elegance and creativity, marks 2025—the Year of the Snake—with an extraordinary celebration of its famed motif through the stunning Serpenti Infinito Exhibition in Shanghai. YUNG was there to explore this incredible event.
The Serpenti Infinito Exhibition in Shanghai delves deep into the snake’s timeless symbolism of transformation, rebirth, and power. This immersive experience explores the convergence of art, culture, and design, all centred around the boundless evolution of the Serpenti.
Open to the public from January 9 to February 16, 2025, the exhibition invites you to embark on a journey of infinite possibilities.
The Exhibition: A Dialogue Between Cultures
Set in the heart of Shanghai’s Zhangyuan, a historic shikumen compound revitalized into a vibrant cultural hub, the Serpenti Infinito Exhibition celebrates the transformative power of the snake. Zhangyuan’s fusion of Chinese and Western architecture mirrors Bvlgari’s ambition to bridge East and West, past and present, tradition and innovation.
This landmark exhibition showcases 28 masterpieces by 19 international and Chinese artists, including 11 specially commissioned works. From traditional artistic forms to cutting-edge AI installations, the exhibition reaffirms the Serpenti’s role as a universal emblem of transformation and reinvention. Visitors are also treated to an exclusive display of Bvlgari’s exquisite Serpenti High Jewelry creations, highlighting the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation and craftsmanship.
The Journey Through Serpenti Infinito
Chapter I: Crafting Serpents in History
The first chapter delves into the snake’s enduring cultural significance. Revered in Chinese mythology as a symbol of good fortune, wisdom, and vitality, the serpent is woven into tales of creation, such as the entwined deities Fu Xi and Nv Wa. In Bvlgari’s history, the Serpenti motif first emerged in 1948 as a jewellery-watch, evolving into a signature symbol of the brand’s artistry.
Highlights include vintage Serpenti Tubogas jewellery-watches from the 1960s and the iconic five-coil Serpenti Pallini yellow gold bracelet-watch with a diamond-studded head from 1955. These timeless creations underscore Bvlgari’s mastery in blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
Chapter II: Snakes in the Arts
The serpent’s multifaceted symbolism takes centre stage in the second chapter. Representing wisdom, protection, and power, the snake has inspired countless artistic interpretations.
Among the standout works is Xu Bing’s Square Word Calligraphy: Serpenti, which fuses Chinese calligraphy and English text to explore the serpent’s association with wisdom. Luka Yuanyuan Yang’s video installation, Ring of Life, portrays the Ouroboros—a snake biting its own tail—as a poignant symbol of eternity and protection.
In Between the lines, artist and product designer Azza Al Qubaisi draws inspiration from the shifts and movements of nature, echoed by the serpent’s transformative essence. is Crafted in mild steel her piece stands apart for its earthy, rusty effect symbolising the passage of time.
Li Daiguo and Li Shurui collaborate on We · Entwinement, blending classical instruments with experimental sounds to evoke the snake’s nurturing and protective essence. These diverse works highlight the serpent’s ability to transcend cultural and artistic boundaries.
Chapter III: Contemporary Transformations
In the final chapter, the exhibition embraces the serpent as a symbol of boundless creativity. Refik Anadol’s Infinito: AI Data Sculpture anchors this section with a mesmerizing fusion of nature and artificial intelligence. By training machine learning algorithms on datasets inspired by snakes, Anadol creates an immersive experience that bridges the virtual and the physical.
Other highlights include Zhou Chao’s Infinite Flow, which explores algorithm-driven art, and Xie Wendi’s Spring, a glasswork installation reflecting the serpent’s perpetual metamorphosis. These contemporary interpretations demonstrate the snake’s relevance in the digital age, inspiring a new generation of creatives to push boundaries.
A New Era for Serpenti
Beyond the exhibition, Bvlgari introduces its 2025 Serpenti collections, showcasing the brand’s commitment to evolution and innovation. The Serpenti Viper jewellery series features sleek, contemporary designs in rose, yellow, and white gold, accented with diamonds for a modern touch. Meanwhile, the Serpenti Seduttori and Tubogas watches combine timeless elegance with ingenious craftsmanship, offering versatile timepieces that coil effortlessly around the wrist.
Adding to the allure is the new Serpenti Cuore 1968 bag, part-inspired by the iconic Serpenti Harlequin jewellery-watch. This heart-shaped bag blends luxury and functionality with its padded leather design and detachable Icon chain strap. For those seeking even greater opulence, an ultra-sparkling animation of the style glimmers as almost 5,000 hand-applied crystals redefines extravagance.
The Serpenti Infinito Campaign
To complement the exhibition and product launches, Bvlgari also unveiled its Serpenti Infinito advertising campaign. This visually stunning campaign captures the serpent’s essence as a symbol of eternal cycles in nature and design. By intertwining the infinity symbol with the Serpenti motif, the campaign evokes the transformative power of nature and the timeless beauty of Bvlgari’s creations.
The Serpenti Infinito Exhibition is a celebration of transformation, unity, and creativity. By reimagining the snake as a bridge between cultures and eras, Bvlgari reaffirms its status as a pioneer in luxury and design. As visitors explore the exhibition and the new 2025 collections, they’ll discover the infinite possibilities embodied by the Serpenti.
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