This October, Bvlgari is taking over the Art House at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and turning it into a snake pit. After debuting in Shanghai and uncoiling in Seoul, the Roman maison’s snake-themed Serpenti Infinito exhibition—celebrating both the Year of the Snake and the 75th anniversary of the Serpenti—is ready for its India premiere.
The Shanghai edition, which ran from January 8 to February 16, 2025, set the tone with 28 artworks by 19 Chinese and international artists, including a special sculpture by American-Turkish artist Refik Anadol that made visitors feel like they had stepped inside a digital serpent’s dreamscape. Seoul followed with its own remix, with 11 Korean and international artists balancing local voices with Bvlgari’s global spirit. Each stop has been a skin-shedding of sorts, shifting the exhibition’s scales to reflect the city it inhabits. Now, it’s Mumbai’s turn.
Since 1948, Bvlgari has been coiling serpents around wrists, necks, and handbags, transforming the slippery creature into one of the most recognisable symbols in luxury. The Serpenti Infinito exhibition is more than a retrospective of sparkly things (though there will be plenty of high jewellery and timepieces to gape at). It’s an exploration of the snake’s rich symbolism, from Roman mythology to India’s venerable naga lore, diving deep into the endless fascination with the animal and how it keeps shedding skins across art, jewellery, and pop culture to be reborn again.
Curated by Nature Morte (the gallery founded by Peter Nagy and Aparajita Jain) and envisioned by artistic director Sean Anderson, the show is as much brain candy as it is eye candy. The narrative unfolds in three parts: arcing from ancient mythology to modern technology and transformation, it showcases the serpent’s enduring power as a cross-cultural muse.
What sets the exhibition apart is its layered storytelling. Visitors will see everything from archival Serpenti Heritage pieces to high-jewellery creations, alongside a diverse range of artworks by Indian and international names who have interpreted the serpent in their own mediums. Think sculpture, installation, maybe even some tech-centred immersive moments that talk back to the serpent’s many meanings.
“India has always been a profound source of inspiration for Bvlgari, thanks to its rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and deep cultural heritage. The decision to bring Serpenti Infinito to Mumbai is more than just a launch; it’s a meaningful celebration of the dialogue between our timeless Roman roots and India’s vibrant artistic traditions,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, chief executive officer of Bvlgari.
“Organising Serpenti Infinito in India has been an extraordinary opportunity to bring together diverse artistic voices in dialogue with one of the most enduring symbols in global design history. The exhibition presents a rich tapestry of perspectives—traditional and contemporary, Indian and international—that together honour the spirit of Bvlgari’s Serpenti collection while reimagining it for a new context,” says Aparajita Jain, co-director of Nature Morte. So, whether you’re a jewellery lover, an art fan, or just someone who appreciates a good story, there’s something here for you.
Serpenti Infinito will be on view at the Art House at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre from October 1 to 17, 2025
