Singleton whisky | Zhou Yilun
The Singleton, a renowned single malt Scotch whisky brand, collaborated with Chinese artist Zhou Yilun to celebrate the release of its 40-Year-Old expression. This limited edition whisky, noted for its decadent flavors of dark chocolate and rich plums, underwent a 28-year secondary maturation—the longest in the distillery's history—followed by a finish in specially selected Ron Zacapa XO casks.
To commemorate this release, The Singleton hosted an immersive gallery experience in Shanghai called "The Rooms of Maximalism." This event featured sensory stimulations, including a large-scale sculpture by Zhou Yilun that explored the interaction between liquid and casks. Yilun's artwork aimed to mimic the texture and sensation of whisky flowing through the cask and onto the tongue, using layered paint and varied brushstrokes to represent the whisky's complex flavors.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL |
Lee Gil Rae
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London, has collaborated with renowned Korean artist Lee Gil Rae to enhance its festive décor. A highlight of this collaboration is the "Millennium Pine Tree," a striking sculpture crafted from copper tubing, showcased in the hotel's Akira Back restaurant. This artwork reflects the beauty and resilience of nature, aligning with the hotel's blend of Asian heritage and local Mayfair artistry.
The "Millennium Pine Tree" is part of Mandarin Oriental's "Season's Sparkle" festive campaign, which features unique installations across its properties. At Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, the festive décor includes a golden bonsai with origami fans in the entrance and a Montblanc paper book Christmas tree, complementing Lee Gil Rae's copper pine sculpture.
ST VINCENT | ALEX DA CORTE
St. Vincent, the stage name of musician Annie Clark, has collaborated with visual artist Alex Da Corte on multiple projects, blending music and visual art to create immersive experiences.
"New York" Music Video (2017): Da Corte directed the video for St. Vincent's single "New York," featuring vibrant, surreal imagery that complements the song's emotive tone. The video's use of bold colors and striking set designs reflects Da Corte's distinctive artistic style.
"All Born Screaming" Album Visuals (2024): For her eighth studio album, "All Born Screaming," St. Vincent collaborated with Da Corte to develop the album's visual aesthetics. Inspired by their visit to Madrid's Museo del Prado and the works of Francisco Goya, particularly his "Black Paintings," the visuals explore themes of life, death, and the human condition. The album cover and the music video for the lead single, "Broken Man," feature Da Corte's artistry, including imagery of St. Vincent engulfed in flames, symbolizing transformation and resilience.
LOUIS VUITTON | ZIPING WANG
Louis Vuitton's Artycapucines Collection showcases collaborations with contemporary artists, reimagining the iconic Capucines bag. In 2023, Chinese artist Ziping Wang contributed a unique design inspired by the vibrant visuals of digital advertising.
Wang's creation is a mini-Capucines adorned with a kaleidoscopic motif reminiscent of candy wrappers and sweets. The bag features a shimmering midnight-blue patent leather base, overlaid with colorful embellishments that evoke the playful imagery of confections. Notably, the handle resembles a candy cane, and the bag's feet are crafted to look like mint candies made of resin. An enamel gingerbread man with LV Monogram flower buttons adds a whimsical touch.
The Artycapucines Collection, now in its fifth edition, continues to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship through such partnerships.
BRIT AWARDS | Rachel Jones
In 2024, the BRIT Awards collaborated with British artist Rachel Jones to redesign their iconic trophy, merging music and contemporary art. Known for her bold abstract works exploring identity and race, Jones’s art features vibrant colors, layered textures, and dynamic brushstrokes. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, she has become one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists.
Jones’s design for the BRITs featured striking color combinations and abstract patterns, reflecting the creativity of the music industry. She described her intention as a celebration of diversity and individuality, aligning with the BRIT Awards' mission to honor talent across all backgrounds. Her reinterpretation of the Britannia statuette marked a contemporary, inclusive vision, transforming it into a work of art that resonates with broader cultural themes.
In addition to her work on the trophy, Jones visited The BRIT School in Croydon, where she shared insights into her creative process with young artists, highlighting the intersection of art and music in shaping cultural impact.
