Ruinart Showcases Tamaki Yoshida's 'Echoes from the Soil' at KYOTOGRAPHIE 2025

Ruinart, the world’s oldest champagne house, renowned for its legacy of creativity and innovation, is proud to participate in the 2025 edition of KYOTOGRAPHIE, the international photography festival held in the culturally rich city of Kyoto. From April 12 to May 11, 2025, Ruinart will present the work of Tamaki Yoshida, the recipient of the 'Ruinart Japan Award 2024,' at the architect Tadao Ando's iconic setting, TIME’S, located in Sanjo, Kyoto. Yoshida's exhibition, titled '土を継ぐーEchoes from the Soil' ('Echoes from the Soil'), delves into the intricate relationship between soil, climate change, and humanity.

Since 2016, Ruinart has been a proud sponsor of KYOTOGRAPHIE, supporting this prestigious festival which showcases the innovative visions of talented artists. In 2021, Ruinart established the Ruinart Japan Award, aimed at recognizing emerging artistic talent and fostering the creation of new works inspired by a residency at Ruinart's headquarters in Reims, France. Each year, the award winner is invited to explore the art of champagne-making and nature's interplay, using these experiences to produce unique artworks exhibited in the following year's KYOTOGRAPHIE.

'Echoes from the Soil' - A Reflection on Human and Soil

Yoshida's work, 'Echoes from the Soil,' reflects a deep exploration of the relationship between vineyard soil, climate change, and human interaction. By focusing on the memory held within the land, the exhibit visually expresses the rich history created through human endeavors in the context of champagne production. After spending time at the Ruinart estate in Reims, Yoshida has employed the traditional Japanese paper, Awa Washi, as a medium to document these memories, striving to pass this knowledge to future generations.

In her own words, Yoshida states: “Visiting the Ruinart estate inspired me to create pieces centered around the theme of soil, which I have always been interested in. This work is an effort to preserve the memory of the estate's soil through a medium that has documented human history for millennia. I was deeply moved by Ruinart's commitment to preserving biodiversity and their genuine approach in striving for rich and unmasked soil growth. Through 'Echoes from the Soil,' I aim to express the connection between the earth's memories and our actions. I hope visitors will feel the profound relationship between land and humanity through this exhibition.”

A Sensory Experience with Ruinart

Attendees of the exhibition can also enjoy a bar corner at the venue that serves Ruinart champagne, where they can indulge in tasting sessions that showcase the unique qualities of the champagne, reflecting the intricate relationship between art and wine. The bar will be available from April 12 to April 17, 2025, featuring the 'Ruinart Blanc de Blancs' champagne at 3,000 JPY per glass and 20,000 JPY per bottle.

A Word from Ruinart’s International Art & Culture Director

Fabien Valerien, Ruinart's International Art and Culture Director, commented: “The theme of soil connects deeply with Ruinart's ethos, as it signifies the nurturing cycle of life and death, bridging animals and humans, and nature and humanity. Through Yoshida's work, I hope people can feel how humans connect with nature.” He also highlighted that the pavilion at the newly renovated Rue Clair 4 is a representation of Ruinart's 300-year history, embodying the relationship between nature's operations and art, and invites visitors to enjoy both exhibitions.

Ruinart Japan Award 2025

The Ruinart Japan Award aims to discover and support young artists and creators in Japan's art and design sectors. This year's award will be announced on April 13, 2025, with Sara Shibata being selected. Shibata, who has worked in financial IT after graduating university, now leads a corporation that draws inspiration from various environments around the world, focusing on the relationship between humans and nature and environmental issues. She is scheduled to participate in an upcoming 'Artist in Resident Program' in the fall of 2025.

About KYOTOGRAPHIE 2025

KYOTOGRAPHIE is one of Japan's few international photography festivals held in Kyoto, a global cultural and artistic center. The festival, now in its 13th year, aims to illuminate the diversity and complexity of human activities, featuring 10 artists from 13 countries. The venues will include notable sites such as Kyoto Cultural Museum and Kyoto City Art Museum.

For more details, visit the official website: KYOTOGRAPHIE.