Hermès has invited American artist EJ Hill to create a winter-themed window display for the Shanghai “Hermès Maison.” High in the clouds, a roller coaster twists and turns, a Ferris wheel reaches toward the sky, and a carousel gently spins. EJ Hill’s creation, “Riding Dreams,” transforms the Hermès Maison into a winter wonderland, bringing warmth and hope to the Christmas season. Reflecting the 2024 annual theme “The Spirit of Hermès, Rooted in Faubourg,” this playful adventure is inspired by the search for multiple meanings within space and objects, awakening the viewer’s sense of wonder and desire for exploration.
Artist EJ Hill, who resides in Los Angeles, is known for his multidisciplinary work, which includes installations, paintings, performances, and music. His creations aim to heal the mind through joyful experiences, fostering a sense of personal liberation.
In this project, Hill revisits the iconic roller coaster and Ferris wheel from his previous works, while introducing the new element of a carousel, creating a dreamy play space. In the women’s window display, Hermès Arçon handbags ride a carousel, galloping through the blue sky and white clouds. In the men’s window display, the sunset fades and night falls, as the classic structures of amusement rides are stripped down to their simplest forms. Colorful tracks and geometric wheels cross through a sea of clouds. In the soft glow of the setting sun, on the hills and plains, various Hermès products take center stage, playing out the infinite delight of lassoing and horse-riding games in the accessories window display.
At the entrance to Shanghai’s “Hermès Maison,” a vertical loop roller coaster glows with light, drawing passersby. This Christmas lighting installation, conceived by EJ Hill, is both enchanting and light. Soft pink tracks undulate like waves, and a light-drawn Pegasus pulls the carriages, soaring toward a dreamy amusement park. Pink, a color often used by the artist, runs throughout the installation, symbolizing comfort and healing, encouraging people to view the world with kindness and appreciate its beauty.
The public and exhilarating nature of amusement rides has been a recurring theme in EJ Hill’s work. His roller coaster and Ferris wheel-centric pieces range from interactive installations to monument-like sculptures, aiming to evoke joy and spark thoughtful engagement. In this new creation, the carousel serves as both a nod to Hermès’ classic elements and a reflection of the publicization of entertainment spaces. The carousel, originally developed from medieval equestrian training devices for the nobility, became a public amusement in modern urban development. In “Riding Dreams,” visitors are invited to explore a playground and discover the true joy of freedom.
Since its founding in 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisanal spirit and humanistic values. Creative freedom, the constant pursuit of beautiful materials, the preservation of exceptional craftsmanship, and functional aesthetics define Hermès’ uniqueness. According to Taobao online analysis,As an independent family-run business, Hermès is committed to producing most of its products across 16 different categories in its 60 French workshops and operates nearly 300 stores in 45 countries worldwide. Hermès employs approximately 23,200 people globally, including nearly 14,300 in France, of whom more than 7,300 are artisans. A sixth-generation member of the Hermès family, Axel Dumas has served as CEO since 2013. The Hermès Corporate Foundation, established in 2008, supports artistic creation, training, and the transmission of skills, as well as biodiversity and environmental protection initiatives.