Written in the stars: Veuve Clicquot brings the zodiac to life through set design
For the second year running, Veuve Clicquot has gathered a group of creatives for a project that marks the anniversary of Madame Clicquot’s death. A widow since 1805, she single-handedly took over her husband’s champagne enterprise at the age of 27, taking it to the next level with her pioneering spirit.
This year, the French brand enlisted singer FKA Twigs on a collaboration with talent agency Streeters on an immersive performance, which took place in London over two days. Entitled ‘Rooms’, the installation has been developed across 12 different spaces, each created by a different designer or artist from the Streeters roster and which symbolise a zodiac sign.
During the performance, 30 characters followed the journey of Diamas, searching for her spiritual zodiac home through a magnificent combination of costume, movement and music. The sets were scattered over three floors, connected by a maze of staircases and punctuated with champagne tasting bars and dance floors.
Artists and designers were given carte blanche to develop a narrative that combined their creative output with the zodiac sign assigned to them. Andrew Tomlinson’s 'Taurus' room, for example, was staged as the interior of a Georgian home, devastated by a raging beast residing inside a crate perched atop the house’s terrace. Meanwhile, Emma Roach’s 'Virgo' installation featured an office of awkward proportions, while Andrea Stanley’s take on Libra was accessed through a waiting room looking out to two radically different, unbalanced spaces.
Other designs included Andy Hillman’s oversized rose made of a plastic bags (a riff on the Sagittarius sign), and Miguel Bento’s 'Aquarius' that welcomed visitors into the space on the ground floor, revealing an exercise in transparency with bright Perspex. Throughout the house, the designer's transformed spaces were brought to life by the performance’s engaging visual power.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Veuve Clicquot website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 shows its true colours
Veuve Clicquot’s latest Creative Makers programme celebrates the emotive power of colour
By Simon Mills Published
-
Château Galoupet is teaching the world how to drink more responsibly
From reviving an endangered Provençal ecosystem to revisiting wine packaging, Château Galoupet aims to transform winemaking from terroir to bottle
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
London’s most refreshing summer cocktail destinations
Cool down in the sweltering city with a visit to London’s summer cocktail destinations
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Veuve Clicquot
Champagne house Veuve Clicquot marks its 250th anniversary with a special train journey from Reims to Venice, on board the fabled Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Wallpaper* Paris editor Amy Serafin went along for an exceptional ride, featuring haute cuisine, live music and alpine scenery, washed down with endless bubbles
By Amy Serafin Last updated
-
In Washington, DC, Yayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot are in full bloom
Yayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot continue their long and fruitful collaboration with a series of art events in Washington, DC, headlined by the artist’s major show, ‘One With Eternity’ at the Hirshhorn
By Martha Elliott Last updated
-
Learn how to curate a simple cheese board with perfect port pairings
The experts at artisan cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield share tips for curating a simple but sophisticated cheese board, with port and cheese pairings for every taste
By Melina Keays Last updated
-
IWA sake brewery by Kengo Kuma is Best Roofscape: Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
IWA sake brewery in Japan, by Kengo Kuma & Associates, scoops Best Roofscape at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
By Tony Chambers Last updated
-
Veuve Clicquot Creative Makers spread hope and optimism for 2022
Veuve Clicquot rounds off 2021 as it began, with a gathering of six creative talents writing the second chapter of the champagne Maison’s ‘Inspiration in Bloom Series’
By Simon Mills Last updated