In an era where the essence of timekeeping intertwines increasingly with the broader strokes of the artistic sphere, Jaeger-LeCoultre's Made of Makers programme continues to bridge seemingly disparate worlds with its latest artistic collaboration. This season, the spotlight falls on Roy Wang, a street light-painter from China whose dynamic interplay of light and shadow challenges the very fabric of temporal precision that Jaeger-LeCoultre champions.

Roy Wang isn't your typical artist nor was his path to artistry one trodden by many. From tackling rugby in Japan to capturing the fluid movements of light on Beijing's nocturnal canvas, Wang's journey into light painting is as unconventional as it is fascinating; first inspired by Picasso's work in the late forties, and evolving into a wholly unique, maximalist expression of culture, light, and movement. His latest venture with Jaeger-LeCoultre, set to debut at the "The Precision Pioneer" exhibition in Dubai, marries the meticulous craft of watchmaking with the spontaneous bursts of light that define his art.

Entitled "The Dragon of Time," the collaboration sees Wang creating three light-painting photographs and a stop-motion video, each echoing the foundational tenets of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmaking—precision, heritage, and artistic flair—but with a twist that only a street artist could conjure. As Wang navigates the challenge of translating large-scale light strokes into the minute intricacies akin to those of a watchmaker, his creations promise to redefine the ways we perceive and interpret the passage of time through art.

This partnership not only underscores Jaeger-LeCoultre's dedication to artistic innovation but also brings a fresh perspective to the fore, demonstrating that time, much like light, is a medium that can be moulded and shaped in endlessly captivating ways. "The process we use to select artists for the Made of Makers program ensures that there's a common ground in values, where both parties understand and respect each other’s territories and expressions," explains CEO Catherine Renier. "With Roy, the collaboration was particularly successful because he fully immersed himself in the world of watchmaking. He integrated his art seamlessly into our precision-centric environment at the Vallée de Joux and the manufacture itself.

For me, the most touching aspect is seeing these two artistic expressions and cultures come together. The best representation of this fusion is the dragon flying through the corridor in the stop-motion movie, which serves as a perfect tribute to the centuries-old manufacture now meeting the modern and inspiring art form of light painting," she shares, before moving on to the next pieces.

"The more we engage with artists like Roy, the more inspired and perhaps even daring we become," continues Renier. "This program’s expansion into Asia, starting with Roy as our first Chinese artist and including Chef Saini from India, adds a cultural dimension to the artistic foundation we originally built on, enriching the entire experience." Looking ahead, the next partnership in the Made of Makers program will pivot back towards Europe, venturing into a completely different artistic expression. This shift underscores the dynamic and enriching nature of these collaborations; one that we discussed with Wang leading up to this week's Dubai showcase. Excerpts:

Your light painting work combines a lot of physical skill and creative vision together. Could you walk us through the process of translating the conceptual into the visual, especially with the constraints of working with a miniaturized canvas?

My approach relies heavily on muscle memory and spatial memory—skills honed from my days as a rugby player. This training has been instrumental in helping me remember and trace light paths, which are crucial in light painting.

When Jaeger-LeCoultre invited me to participate in the Made of Makers programme, I was both honored and excited. They presented me with the unique challenge of adapting my work to the scale of watchmaking. Historically, my projects involved large-scale light paintings, even setting a Guinness World Record with one of my pieces. However, this project required a significant shift to much smaller dimensions, akin to the detailed work of a watchmaker.

To achieve this, I had to develop new tools and techniques to work on a much smaller 'canvas'—essentially a table, where I would create the smallest of dragons. This task had to be executed without the aid of digital enhancements like Photoshop, relying solely on real-time painting and photography. It was undoubtedly a challenging shift, but the outcome, which includes a video and three photographs, is something I'm truly proud of and I think it showcases the intricate beauty of light painting on a miniature scale.

What’s the thought process with shrinking down the size and working on a very minute level? How did you adapt your technique?

The collaboration has been a tremendous source of innovation for me. Working on art that combines light, oak, and elements like Chinese dragons on such a small scale is quite unique, particularly when merging these themes with the expressive qualities of a watch.

This project pushed me to break through traditional creative methods. I had to innovate not only by improving my tools but also by significantly reducing my workspace to fit the size constraints typically found in watchmaking. This necessity for innovation has sparked new inspiration for my future creations. Now, I see a world of possibilities in the macro realm, teeming with potential creativity that I'm eager to explore further.

The showcase shines a specific light on Chinese cultural motifs. Why did you choose the ones you did?

Before focusing solely on the miniature scale, we explored modern light painting artwork. This year, 2024, being the Chinese Year of the Dragon, I suggested creating a dragon-themed stop-motion animation. The idea was to depict a dragon journeying from the East to the West, culminating at the metal factory in Switzerland. The team loved the concept, and we developed a sequence where the dragon moves around the Reverso watch, which was quite an exciting concept.

In China, the dragon symbolizes tradition and spirituality, revered by many, especially the younger generation who are increasingly embracing cultural heritage, such as wearing Han Dynasty clothing. This renewed interest in traditional culture meshes well with modern artistic expressions, attracting younger audiences. For instance, in 2021, I released a piece on mythical creatures from the ancient text "Classics of Mountains and Seas," which resonated deeply, garnering over 300 million views online. This fusion of traditional themes with contemporary art forms has proven very popular.