In the heart of its vineyards, the famous champagne house unveiled an architectural project, created in collaboration with the Italian design duo Formafantasma. A project dedicated to biodiversity.
It's just the beginning, but a remarkable one. Last September, Formafantasma unveiled the Biodiversity Island, the very first phase of the Cohabitare project, located in the heart of the Perrier-Jouët vineyards. The installation consists of seventy-four posts structured by terracotta modules, handcrafted in France and finished in a range of natural iron oxide glazes. Their vibrant colors attract birds and insects, as well as bats. Installed in a 285-square-meter area, they will be surrounded by native plants that will provide food for animal species, while also serving as a habitat for insects thanks to the openings and cavities of varying sizes designed for this purpose.
The aim of this project is to promote local biodiversity, the rhythms of which will be observed by a scientific committee, the duo explains on their Instagram account. A study will also be conducted with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris to establish biodiversity indicators for both Cohabitare and the vineyard plots managed using regenerative viticulture, a "holistic approach that benefits the climate, ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the well-being of the community," adopted by the champagne house for about ten years in order to minimize its impact on the environment and contribute to enriching biodiversity.
To mark the inauguration of the Biodiversity Island, guests were invited to enjoy a "Banquet of Nature," for which Formafantasma designed a set of tableware, including hand-painted glasses. These water and champagne glasses, created in collaboration with the Viennese glassworks Lobmeyr, feature hand-painted illustrations of flora and fauna, showcasing the region's characteristic diversity. The two designers drew inspiration from the company's archives for shapes and motifs to bring this series of glasses to life, adding drawings of the species that will inhabit the Biodiversity Island. Also included were ceramic bowls, made from waste from the factory where the Island's ceramic modules were produced. These bowls are glazed with the same palette developed for the modules and served as a special dish during lunch.
Finally, another component of Cohabitare is the work entitled The Centerpiece. This piece consists of two sound sculptures that capture the specific sounds and frequencies of local species, allowing viewers to experience biodiversity from around the world. The sculptures are made of a wooden resonating board which, through its vibrations, diffuses sound throughout the surrounding space. Wooden boards are placed in two boxes that can be opened and explored as a sensory experience. Inside are hand-painted representations of local flora and fauna, which can also be heard in David Monacchi's sound composition, Oecanthus. The eco-acoustic composer will continue his work over the next three years to highlight the evolution of biodiversity in the Biodiversity Island.
Maison Perrier-Jouët and Formafantasma have unveiled a first chapter which we are eager to read the rest of.
FORMAFASTANSA.COM
