On May 14, 2014, the Davidoff Art Initiative revealed the first Davidoff Limited Art Edition cigar boxes, which featured original commissioned artwork by the critically acclaimed Caribbean artist Quisqueya Henríquez. On display are two cigar boxes, which will be made in a limited edition run of 3,000 and stocked with custom-made cigars.
“I have always had in mind to work with images that illustrate time and the many different steps involved in the tradition of cigar making,” said Quisqueya. The compositions fashioned by Henríquez for the Davidoff Limited Art Edition include richly colored images acquired from the layering of multiple photographs of tobacco leaves, creating a composition that, while abstract, hints at the source materials involved in its creation.
“When we approached Ms. Henríquez, she asked to visit our tobacco fields in Santiago and spend time there observing our crops and the work methods of our cigar rollers,” said Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, the Chief Executive Officer at Oettinger Davidoff AG.
As Associate Partner of Art Basel for the second consecutive year, Davidoff operates a VIP hospitality lounge in the Collectors Lounge. Collectors and cigar aficionados can discover the Davidoff Limited Art Edition cigar boxes and the Collector’s Edition cigars in the Davidoff Lounge inside the Collectors Lounge at the Hong Kong show.
The Davidoff Art Initiative supports contemporary art and artists in the Caribbean, fosters art organizations in the Dominican Republic, shares knowledge and expertise about contemporary art, and promotes cultural engagement between the Caribbean and the rest of the world. At the core of the Art Initiative, one of Davidoff’s main goals is to give back to the Dominican Republic cultural community.
Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary works, sited in Basel, Switzerland, Miami Beach and Hong Kong. Each show’s exhibitions segments highlight the latest developments in the visual arts, offering visitor’s new ideas, new inspiration and new contacts in the art world.
The show is located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center with Victoria Harbour serving as a stunning backdrop, and complementing the equally stunning artwork. This is 44th year of the show, and like a fine wine, the Art Basel show continues to improve upon itself.
