Luxury objects rarely stay in their lane when Jay Ahr is involved. The Belgian artist and designer has taken over Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong with Ballet Mécanique, a selling exhibition that gathers more than 50 reimagined luxury pieces under one roof. Cars, handbags, furniture and film all share the stage.
The show is billed as the first comprehensive survey of Ahr’s world. It brings together his kinetic reworking of classic automobiles, his sculptural interventions on handbags, his modifications of archival furniture and his work in filmmaking.
The title nods to Fernand Léger’s 1924 avant-garde film, and the exhibition is built around three bespoke Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupés. Each was created inside Ahrsenal, the designer’s dedicated automotive atelier. Every car took more than a year of work. Each was stripped down to over 70,000 individual components, then restored using period-accurate codes. The finished coupés carry either their original powertrain or a modern 550-horsepower engine.
The cars also star in the world premiere of Ahr’s directorial film debut. The film choreographs the vehicles alongside dancers and mechanics in a futuristic setting.
Away from the garage, the exhibition presents 30 customized Hermès icons, including the Birkin, and Jean Prouvé daybeds. Together they show how far Ahr’s approach to luxury reaches, from the road to the living room to the closet.
Ballet Mécanique runs from November 5 to November 26 at Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong.