Swatch Art Peace Hotel CEO on Art as Community and Flora Fantastica

Carlo Giordanetti, CEO of Swatch Art Peace Hotel, discusses Swatch's 15-year commitment to building an artist community rather than mere sponsorship. The interview, conducted during the 'Flora Fantastica' exhibition at the Serra dei Giardini Reali in Venice, explores how the Shanghai residency has hosted hundreds of artists, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Giordanetti emphasizes that Swatch's engagement with artists is foundational to its DNA, aiming to integrate art into daily life through its timepieces. 'Flora Fantastica' features works by Mustafà Boga, Stefania Orrù, and Hammer Chen, transforming botanical forms into art. Giordanetti rejects sustainability in favor of 'responsibility,' and identifies the future lab as a mental state rather than a geographic location. He cites artists Juan Olivares, Dorothy M. Yoon, Stefano Ogliari Badessi, and Yue Minjun as influences. The exhibition runs at the Serra dei Giardini Reali, Venice.