In a collaboration that transcends typical brand partnerships, the renowned artist Anish Kapoor has joined forces with the cognac house Rémy Martin, resulting in a limited edition XO decanter and a captivating art piece. This partnership delves deeper than mere aesthetics, exploring themes of perception, meaning and the intricate relationship between objects and observers – concepts central to Kapoor’s artistic philosophy.
Kapoor, celebrated for his monumental sculptures and explorations of form, void and colour, typically approaches collaborations with a discerning eye. His primary concern is the preservation of artistic freedom, a sentiment he found genuinely respected by Rémy Martin. This unconstrained environment allowed him to engage with the iconic XO decanter not just as a product, but as an object ripe for artistic inquiry, posing questions about its essence, its artistic merit and the personal connections it might evoke.
At the heart of Kapoor’s creative process lies an enduring fascination with the “in-between” – the subtle space where meaning is both present and elusive. He believes that objects possess dual lives: their overt description and the subjective interpretations they inspire within us. This metaphysical approach guided his interaction with the Rémy Martin decanter. He meticulously observed its solar shape, the interplay of light and shadow on its sculpted glass and the compelling radiance of its colour. This visual contemplation ignited a “poetic” and “revealing” experience, leading him to envision an artwork that could complement the decanter’s inherent qualities.
A recurring motif in Kapoor’s extensive oeuvre is the “void” – not an emptiness, but a space brimming with potential and plentitude. This concept resonated with his exploration of the cognac’s colour, a blend of myriad shades ranging from deep darkness to vibrant luminosity. For Kapoor, colour is an immersive force, a medium through which he aims to envelop the viewer, creating layers of sensation rather than just visually pleasing forms. This quest for a specific, transformative colour, reflective of the Rémy Martin XO’s complex hues, became a central pillar of the collaboration.
The culmination of this artistic dialogue is a limited edition Rémy Martin XO decanter that embodies Kapoor’s vision. Drawing inspiration from his signature concave mirrors, which manipulate perception and create endless reflections, the new design features a minimalist curve and a concave centre bathed in amber tones. The smooth, transparent front seamlessly integrates with the classic scooped back, enhancing the decanter’s luminous effect and symbolising infinite possibilities. Adorned with a new copper bottle neck and stopper, it’s conceived as a “magnetic portal,” inviting a journey into an alternative Rémy Martin universe. Kapoor’s personal history, including memories of his father drinking Rémy Martin, infused the design with a deeper resonance, shaping a simpler yet profound aesthetic that translates personal reflections into a tangible form.
Beyond the decanter, Kapoor created an original artwork for Rémy Martin: a painted concave mirror. This piece, inspired by the nuanced palette of the XO eaux-de-vie, from pale gold to dark amber, patiently aged in French oak, mirrors the changing light and kaleidoscope of sensations offered by the cognac. As one moves around the artwork, the colours shift, revealing endless reflections and embodying the opulent, flamboyant character of Rémy Martin XO.
The collaboration ultimately serves as a testament to the profound connections that can emerge when art and craft converge. It’s an invitation to contemplate not just the visual and sensory richness of Rémy Martin XO, but also the deeper meanings we ascribe to the objects that populate our lives, transforming them from mere commodities into conduits for introspection and infinite possibilities. The rich sensory profile of the cognac itself – described with fiery mahogany hues, an explosion of floral and fruity aromas and a complex palate of plum, orange, spices, hazelnuts, cocoa and gingerbread – finds its artistic echo in Kapoor’s immersive and reflective creations.
