Lalique 2024 UK Web

ART & DESIGN

THE CONFIDENCES OF JAMES TURRELL

IS THIS PIECE DESIGNED TO RESONATE WITH THE TWO PERFUME BOTTLES, RANGE RIDER AND PURPLE SAGE ? Yes, I did want it to have the same sensibility as the perfume bottles. COULD IT BE DESCRIBED AS A FUSION, A MOVING OSMOSIS BETWEEN THE FEMININE (SENSUAL ROUNDED SHOULDERS, CALLIPYGIAN LUXURIANCE) AND THE MASCULINE (SPARE GEOMETRY, TAPERED STRAIGHT LINES, RECTANGULAR BASE)? It is in fact a melding of two universes where the strength and weight at the bottom of the decanter move to the anda (meaning egg or womb) shape of the shoulders. WITH THIS EXCLUSIVE DECANTER, COULD WE SAY THAT THE VISIBLE IS ON A PAR WITH THE INVISIBLE? MIGHT IT BE A TRIBUTE TO EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS OR TO THE ARCHITECTURE OF BUDDHIST STUPAS? These archetypal forms are cross-cultural with Egyptian forms. They move something deep within me. HOW DID YOU IMAGINE THE TREATMENT OF LIGHT IN THIS CRYSTAL CRADLE? Crystal holds light like water. Water is spirit and crystal is liquid; that is, glass is actually liquid masquerading in our lifetime as a solid. Water and crystal become this holder of light and spirit. THE PERFUME BOTTLES AND THE LIGHT PANELS ARE NOW PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC. WHAT EMOTIONS DOES THIS STIR UP FOR YOU? DID YOU TALK TO SILVIO DENZ ABOUT THEM? There was a lot of talk with Silvio. Many refer to Silvio as an extremely talented “nose” with a gift for all sorts of scents – whether in perfumes, wines, cuisine or liquors. His passion is legendary.

WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF THIS DECANTER?

I love single malt whisky. There’s also the idea of connecting the decanter with my previous work in crystal for Lalique and with Silvio. WHAT ROLE DID YOU PLAY IN THE CREATION OF THE WHISKY ITSELF? I described the whisky my father enjoyed as inspiration for the team at The Glenturret. My father’s definition of civilization was a fine whisky and a good cigar. ARE YOU A WHISKY LOVER YOURSELF? FOR YOU, WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SINGLE MALTS? They distinctively express their terroir and the water. I find that many people like blended whiskies, but I’m most fond of the single malts. HAVE YOU REVEALED CERTAIN ASPECTS OF YOUR HERITAGE THROUGH THIS DECANTER, PERHAPS RELATING TO YOUR FATHER, A WHISKY LOVER? The relationship is more of an intellectual one, as opposed to the awakening of sensory memories. My family roots are in Northumberland, where the Quakers were involved with the lead mines, the railroads and the canals. It’s the area that had been home to the notorious Border Reivers, who lived below Hadrian’s Wall but were related to the people north of it. Escaping persecution as Quakers, my ancestors crossed the sea westward to Ireland, settling at William Penn’s estate in Youghal, between Waterford and Cork. But most Quakers escaped eastward to Amsterdam, where they found refuge in an area at the heart of the city that had been a haven for Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition during the time of Queen Isabella. Both the Irish and the Dutch were welcoming to foreigners escaping persecution in their home countries.

COULD THERE BE ANOTHER CHAPTER TO THE COLLABORATION WITH LALIQUE? One can only hope!

© James Turrell/Michel F. Sarda

26

27