the lowdown
YANG YONGLIANG’S MAJESTIC FUSION Do you believe in magic? As we enter the Year of the Dragon, consider that this fantastical beast is the only mythical animal in the Chinese zodiac. It stands for strength and luck, and requires a good dose of imagination to bring its fearsome beauty to life. In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Maison Hennessy is launching an exclusive limited-edition collection in collaboration with visionary Chinese artist Yang Yongliang. Named ʻDragon’s Odyssey,ʼ this collection blends traditional Chinese art with digital technology, resulting in an homage to the dragon that is classic with a touch of avant-garde. From its serpentine tail and glistening fish scales to claws that would put any bird of prey to shame, the dragon is an amalgamation of powerful creatures and ancient legends. Yongliang is known for the juxtaposition of elements in his work, merging Chinese landscape painting with digitalized urban scenes that splice together reality and dream. The resulting images force the viewer to look closer, and then closer again, to get through the layers into what is real vs. imagined, natural vs. man-made. In the context of these special editions, this technique brings forth a dialogue between traditional symbolism and digital art.
In 'Dragon’s Odyssey', three-dimensional relief details capture the teeth and scales of the dragons. The design was inspired by a memory of a dragon-adorned antique coin that Yongliang was given by his grandmother, which influenced the metallic tones and texture on the surface of the bottles. The special-edition art bottles are available in three distinct variants, which reflect the aspirations of the new year. The red tone used on the VSOP bottle symbolizes joy and luck, while the gold on XO and Paradis represents prosperity. The latter is presented in a handcrafted porcelain decanter created by Bernardaud, the renowned French porcelain house, and housed in an oak display box. With only 485 numbered units available, the Paradis edition is also highly collectible. The limited-edition collection, available for purchase on Hennessy.com, caters to those seeking a unique gift for the festive season or a symbol of celebration for the New Year. The VSOP is priced at $72, the XO at $265, and the Paradis at $8,800. Each bottle will be available until the edition sells out. Hennessy's collaboration with Yang Yongliang is not just a celebration of a new year but a blend of legend, innovation and the eternal appeal of magic. -Molly Headley
THE R ESULTING IMAGES FORCE THE VIEW ER TO LOOK CLOSER, AND THEN CLOSER AGAIN, TO GET THROUGH THE LAY ERS INTO WHAT IS R EAL VS. IMAGINED, NATUR AL VS. MAN-MADE.
>> Renowned artist Yang Yongliang.
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