Yesterday we traveled to Houston for the opening of the Art & Timepiece Exhibition by Jojo Anavim at the Vacheron Constantin boutique at Zadok Jewelers. Following its debut in the new Vacheron Constantin North American Flagship in NYC last year, the exhibition attracts watch and art aficionados alike, featuring a collection of the new watches released during Watches & Wonders 2022 and a five-piece series of paintings by the New York Pop Artist. The exhibition will be open through June 20th, at the Vacheron Constantin boutique within Zadok Jewelers on Post Oak Place in Houston.

New York City-based artist Jojo Anavim has established his body of work stemming from a background in graphic design and a fascination with Pop Art. Anavim’s works are part of permanent collections including Coca-Cola Archives Museum, Atlanta, GA; Dream's Downtown and Midtown Hotel, New York, NY; and Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.

Jojo describes his work and how it relates to Vacheron Constantin’s ‘The Anatomy of Beauty’ concept as follows:

'“You are always asking yourself, how can I create something new, something different and something that is better than the last thing that I created. Is this constant balance of adding more without overkill. Meaning there, if the sensory overload is too much, it takes away from everything and it becomes nothing. Is this very delicate balance of having the right amount of things, the right balance of the color palette, brand imagery and typography so that they can work harmoniuosly with each other. Then you go back to the anatomy and you combine those things to translate them organically and seamlessly. The beauty is in the simplicity. I always hear people say art is subjective, but that is such nonsense. Things that are objectively bad are bad, and things that are objectively great are great. Beauty can be in the eye of the beholder but there are objects like watches and pieces of art that are desirable because they are complicated, unique, magnificent, and are complex things that people poured heart and soul into them, and that in itself is an art form and that should be appreciated.”

As a watch collector himself, the artist worked directly with Vacheron Constantin to create a series of oil on canvas paintings that bring timepieces into the playful world of contemporary pop art. Anavim uses a bold color palette and playful techniques that realistically depict indulgent individually wrapped chocolates, an oversized, glittering ribbon-wrapped gift box springing open with a larger-than-life gold leaf Overseas timepiece bezel, and scenes of loved ones captured in an intimate embrace.

After arriving in Houston and checking into The Post Oak Hotel, we enjoyed lunch with Jojo Anavim and Alexander Schmiedt —President of Vacheron Constantin Americas— who was wearing his beloved platinum Cornes de Vache chronograph.

In the afternoon, Zadok Jewelers hosted a private cocktail at the Vacheron Constantin boutique where collectors enjoyed Jojo Anavim’s paintings as well as Vacheron’s latest novelties including the new Historiques 222, the Overseas Skeleton Tourbillon, and more. Decadent cocktails were prepared by a sophisticated mixologist from Barcelona, Spain, and delicious hors d‘oeuvres were served, which included the best grilled cheese sandwich and tomato bisque we’ve ever had.

Founded on prestigious Post Oak Blvd. in 1976 by sixth-generation jeweler, Dror Zadok, and his wife, Helene Zadok, Zadok Jewelers is Houston’s premier watch, jewelry, and diamond destination. The addition of their sons Jonathan, Segev, and Gilad —all GIA certified gemologists— created the seventh generation of Zadoks with industry experience, bringing an unparalleled level of knowledge, service, and passion to their trade.

Houstonians will be able to admire Vacheron Constantin’s watches and Anavim’s artwork at the Vacheron Constantin boutique within Zadok Jewelers from June 2nd to June 20th, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The works are not for sale and will be sent to Geneva, Switzerland following the Houston show. The artist is taking commissions upon request. After the cocktail, we enjoyed a decadent dinner hosted by Zadok Jewelers and Vacheron Constantin at Mastro’s, one of our favorite steakhouses.

For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here and for Zadok Jewelers here.