#Japan #Tokyo #Ruinart #Julian Charrière #Conversations with Nature

Celebrating Nature: Ruinart x Julian Charrière’s 2025 Exhibition

On November 4, 2023, MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo Co., Ltd., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, hosted a preview event for the upcoming exhibition "Conversations with Nature 2025," in collaboration with artist Julian Charrière. The event took place at the Okura Shukokan Museum and Annex Aoyama, attracting numerous media personalities and special guests, including Mori Izumi and Akane Mitsuji, who were given a sneak peek into the intriguing themes of the exhibition that contemplate the relationship between humans and nature.

A Tribute to Nature: The Theme of "Memories of the Lost Ocean"

As the world’s oldest Champagne house, Ruinart is known for its pursuit of creativity and innovation. This year, the house will participate in the annual Tokyo Art Week (AWT), showcasing the exhibition from November 5 to November 9, 2025, at both the Okura Shukokan and Annex Aoyama. Collaborating with Julian Charrière, the exhibition features installations and a photo series that resonate with the chalky underground cellars (Crayeres) and the memories of ancient seas juxtaposed against modern coral reefs.

The focal theme for 2025, "Memories of the Lost Ocean," draws inspiration from the geological layers in the Champagne region that were once submerged under the ocean 45 million years ago, as well as the chalky cellars of Ruinart. The exhibit brings to light the pressing issues of marine crisis by intertwining the ancient memories of oceans with the contemporary state of coral reefs. The artworks aim to visualize the changes in landscapes, materials, and the relationships humans have forged over geological time frames.

Interactive sound installations awaken the whispers of fossils hidden within the chalk walls of Crayeres, while prints reinterpreting digital images of coral reefs through pigments derived from chalk, limestone, and coral are displayed. The ethereal color palette of these prints symbolizes the fragility that lies between preservation and loss.

The Voice of Julian Charrière

Julian Charrière expressed his excitement about visiting the Champagne region, courtesy of Ruinart, emphasizing the personal connection he feels, as his mother is from the region. He recalled childhood memories of collecting oceanic fossils from the fields during autumn. In his installation at Annex Aoyama, he aimed to capture the essence of the place, viewing it as a "living space" while blending underwater sounds from modern coral reefs with the songs of marine creatures. Charrière hopes that visitors will experience a sense of being submerged in water. The exhibited works at Okura Shukokan serve as "portraits" of the locations where these sounds were recorded, utilizing crushed coral to recreate the sedimentation process, encouraging attendees to listen closely to what lies hidden beneath the surface of their daily lives.

Insights from Special Guests

Mori Izumi was captivated by the delicacy of the artworks displayed at Okura Shukokan. After engaging in discussions with Charrière about his works and the intricate process behind them, she felt a profound respect for nature echoed through the exhibition. She related personally to his childhood experiences and admired how he retains that childlike wonder, channeling it into his art. For her, Ruinart remains a special Champagne, evoking excitement from the moment one picks up the bottle. The aroma, color, and taste create an exceptional experience, reflective of Ruinart's unique character.

Akane Mitsuji commented on the refreshingly new experience of focusing on sound within the dark space at Annex Aoyama. As an avid surfer, she found it exhilarating to hear the underwater sounds rather than those above the surface. The use of a grayscale color palette in the Okura Shukokan artworks led her to engage with the pieces in a novel way, promoting an experience stripped of color to focus on form. Through this exhibition and the accompanying photographs, she recognized Ruinart's commitment to honoring art. Mitsuji noted that Ruinart Champagne balances freshness and richness perfectly, a blend she would love to enjoy casually among friends with savory pairings.

Event Overview

Ruinart x Julian Charrière “Conversations with Nature 2025”

• - Exhibition Dates: November 5 - November 9, 2025
• - Venue Hours: Okura Shukokan - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Annex Aoyama - 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last day until 6:00 PM)
• - Locations:

- Okura Shukokan, 2-10-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Annex Aoyama, 3-1-26 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• - Admission: Free for Annex Aoyama; entry to Okura Shukokan requires an Art Week Tokyo ticket.
• - Featured Artist: Julian Charrière
• - Theme: Conversations with Nature
• - Exhibition Content: Displays, interactive experiences, Ruinart Bar

Ruinart Bar

• - Period: November 5 - November 9, 2025
• - Hours: As per respective venue hours
• - Menu: Sales of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Rosé by the glass and bottle.

About Ruinart

Founded in 1729, Ruinart is celebrated as the oldest Champagne house, often referred to as the “gem of Champagne.” It meticulously selects the highest quality grapes from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, pursuing purity, delicacy, and elegance to craft Champagnes that embody a rich, fresh, and rounded taste, establishing its reputation as the "Chardonnay House." The ideal conditions for aging are maintained in the Crayeres, a chalk quarry dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, designated as a historical building in 1931. This environment, known for its ideal temperature and humidity, allows Ruinart to achieve a delicate and elegant style known as "the art of Chardonnay."

For more information, visit: Ruinart Official Website