The enchantment of nature

Andrea Mancuso, co-founder of the studio Analogia Project, takes inspiration from the history of Perrier-Jouët, nature, the charm of wine cellars, the stylistic lightness of Art Nouveau, to design the new Metamorphosis goblets of the Maison de Champagne. He shares the story with IFDM

The heritage of Perrier-Jouët and the philosophy of the designer Andrea Mancuso of Analogia Project give rise to a mise en scène that enchanted Design/Miami and is updated today with the same striking energy: thanks to a line of six elegant glasses. Mini-sculptures in opaque Murano glass made with Fondazione Berengo, packed with history and emotion, because “every wine – says Hervé Deschamps, chef de caves of Perrier-Jouët – is a catalyst of memories.” As narrated for IFDM.design by Andrea Mancuso.

Metamorphosis by Andrea Mancuso per Perrier-Jouët
Metamorphosis by Andrea Mancuso for Perrier-Jouët

Andrea, how did you manage to transport the heritage of a Maison like Perrier-Jouët into the contemporary world?

The collaboration with the brand began with a visit to the historic Belle Epoque facility at Épernay, in the heart of the Champagne region in France: an enchanted ‘estate’ that hosts the largest private collection of Art Nouveau. In this place that symbolizes the heritage of Perrier-Jouët and its philosophy, I visited the residence, the cellars, the vineyards, tasting wines with the chef de caves Hervé Deschamps… the Perrier-Jouët cellars contain bottles over a span of almost 200 years: a true ‘time bank.’ I wanted to shift that temporal dimension, nature and the metamorphosis of its elements, into the forms and hues of the six Metamorphosis goblets. A narrative that connects the natural universe and the delicacy of Art Nouveau.

How do the goblets symbolize the elements of champagne?

First of all, I wanted to create an object that would engage all five senses, conveying visual and tactile impressions, fusing the champagne with the glass that contains it. I began by selecting drawings that represented the notes and characteristics of the champagne, represented by green leaves that grow on the stem, conveying the idea of nature that is being born, and becomes increasingly complex. The nuances – green for nature, pink for the rosé, amber for the champagne – have multiple meanings: they are based on the colors used by Émile Gallé in the design of the anemone for the brand’s bottle (green, gold and pink); they are the iconic hues of Art Nouveau, and stand for the natural elements.

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Photo © Analogia Project, 2019

To make the goblets, you turned to Fondazione Berengo in Murano… what type of technique was employed?

At first I created a model in modeling clay, and then with 3D printing to get an exact idea of the sensation to the touch. Using a typical technique of the Art Nouveau period, namely lost wax casting, as in the working of bronze, the goblets are true mini-sculptures made in opaque glass by Fondazione Berengo of Murano. A process of fine, exclusive craftsmanship.

Hervé Deschamps, the maitre of Perrier-Jouët, has defined champagne as a catalyst of memories. What were the most fascinating factors for you?

Undoubtedly time, and the way nature determines the results. A process that cannot be totally controlled by man, as in the Blanc de Blancs, a champagne that was a particular inspiration for me. The challenge was launched by Hervé Deschamps when he became part of the Maison: this particular product can be created only when the natural conditions allow it. A fragility of nature I decided to interpret through the use of a material like glass for the goblets, and ceramics for the creation of the booth at Design/Miami 2019. Features that translate the temporal dimension, and complex natural processes.

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Design Miami 2019