English Version | A fire to be kindled

10 Dec 2022
By Pedro Vasconcelos

It is in the warmth of the relationships between mentors and protégés that the artists of tomorrow are formed. But in the face of a growing generation gap, Rolex's Mentors & Protégés program ensures the artistic legacy of the future.

It is in the warmth of the relationships between mentors and protégés that the artists of tomorrow are formed. But in the face of a growing generation gap, Rolex's Mentors & Protégés program ensures the artistic legacy of the future.

Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, Socrates and Plato, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey, Stella Adler and Marlon Brando. The list could go on indefinitely, filling the entire pages that follow, but logic understands from the few examples given: greatness does not exist in a vacuum. It must be necessary for those who, given their life experience, are willing to share the lessons learned at cost and to let others use the bridges they have built. The mentor, that figure so present from the past, is increasingly undervalued. By exaggerating the messages of empowerment that permeate the digital sphere, we disregard our nature as social animals. Of course, tempting as it may be, we cannot simply blame the world wide web; overconfidence is the curse of any new generation. Nevertheless, the myth of individualism has never been more dominant than it is today, making us believe that, alone, we can achieve anything we want. Myth is certainly the best word to describe the phenomenon, and it is despite this that history teaches us an important lesson: we must listen to those who came before us, and learn from them the mishaps along the way so that we can avoid them. This truth, while it cuts across all corners of the human experience, is particularly dogmatic when it comes to the artistic field.

We promised we would refrain from pointing out more examples, but just in case, we mention a few more: Steven Spielberg and J. J. Abrams, Edgar Degas and Mary Cassat, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. These mentors, concerned about the future conjugation of the verb "to create", give their time, fame, and knowledge to help their protégés. These connections are essential to the advancement of human heritage and have ensured, for millennia, that each generation achieves new achievements of excellence. But in the face of the growing generation gap caused by the modern world, some seek to facilitate mentoring relationships. Such is the case with Rolex, which, through its Mentors & Protégés program, helps perpetuate the world's cultural legacy. The initiative is not surprising, coming from a brand that has elevated Haute Horlogerie to the status of art. Historically, watchmakers were completely dependent on mentors to make their increasingly complex creations possible. But Rolex's involvement in the art world is not only based on the similarities between watchmaking and other artistic productions - the interest in art, as a whole, is present in the brand's very DNA. Although officially started in 2002, the intention behind the Mentors & Protégés program goes back to its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, and his deep passion for patronage.

The Swiss brand's project raises patronage to its highest potential by bringing the next generation of artists into contact with some of the most respected names in their respective fields. For six weeks, emerging artists have the opportunity to come into direct contact with titans such as Martin Scorsese or Toni Morrison. These are just two of the multitude of legends who have already participated in the program. Emphasizing the importance of intercultural communication, the pairs of master and disciple are made with this goal in mind. From painting to architecture, film to literature, the Swiss brand's initiative does not discriminate by expression, recognizing the importance of mentorship in all art forms. Creating an unparalleled opportunity, some of the biggest names in art today have gone through this very program. Consider poet Tracy K. Smith, who would eventually be named Poet Laureate of the United States, a feat largely achieved through the mentorship of German poet Hans Magnus Enzensberger. The initiative, in effect for the moment, focuses on the fields of architecture, film, literature, music, and visual arts, where "protégés" have the privilege of working under artists such as architect Anne Lacaton or director Jia Zhang-Ke. Bernadine Evaristo, one of the most important voices in modern literature, and mentor to Ayesha Harruna Attah confesses, "A mentorship is not just about skill development, it involves professional and personal advice, as well as honest interactions about creativity." Of course, the mentor's position is not entirely altruistic, it is an interaction that benefits both artists, but the scope of mentorship goes far beyond the two people who engage in it directly - the art that grows out of the dynamic is part of the cultural legacy of all of us. Given the increasing challenges that the future presents us with, as well as the reticence with which we face it, fostering this dynamic has never been more important. Art has always been a bonfire on a New Moon's night, so mentorships, such as those encouraged by Rolex, are the spark needed to ignite the next generation of artists to the status of their predecessors.

Translated from the original on "The Velvet Touch" issue of Vogue Portugal, published december 2022.Full stories and credits on the print issue.

Pedro Vasconcelos By Pedro Vasconcelos

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