Metal

The Fondation d’entreprise Hermès is pleased to announce the publication of a book titled Savoir & Faire : KINZOKU, le métal in autumn 2025 through Iwanami Shoten, as part of its Skills Academy initiative. To accompany the launch of this publication, Hermès Maison Ginza Le Forum will host a group exhibition on the theme of ‘Metal,’ showcasing related works.

Gold, silver, iron, lead, brass...From the Bronze Age to the present day, metals have accompanied human civilisation, embodying the diverse and ambivalent properties of the minerals from which they are derived and the techniques used to process them. The ‘Metal,’ exhibition attempts to re-examine the ambivalence, rationality, magical thinking, symbolism, darkness, light and social hierarchy associated with metal as a material. Three artists will explore metal from the perspectives of music, film, and sculpture. Élodie Lesourd will analyse metal music semiotically, while film director Maiko Endo creates inner universes and manifestations using the traditional Japanese materials of vermillion and mercury as a medium. Finally, Chu Enoki creates works using scrap materials, superimposing human activity onto the Earth as a metal ball/iron sphere. We hope this will serve as an opportunity for visitors to experience the diverse and fascinating qualities of metal.

Maiko Endo, "SPACE", 2025 © Maiko Endo