Sculpting spirit: Anish Kapoor reimagines Rémy Martin XO
The limited-edition Rémy Martin XO x Anish Kapoor decanter
GTR Magazine’s Rebecca Byrne attended an exclusive evening at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts on May 15, where the House of Rémy Martin celebrated a landmark artistic collaboration with world-renowned sculptor Anish Kapoor. Guests were welcomed with flowing cognac cocktails before entering a dimly lit space where Kapoor’s specially commissioned artwork was dramatically displayed. Alongside it, a lavish ‘Opulence Revealed’ banquet was laid out, and attendees were invited to pair Rémy Martin XO with a curated menu of savoury and sweet delicacies designed to enhance and complement the rich complexity of the cognac.
Anish Kapoor’s specially commissioned artwork
The atmosphere was both celebratory and reflective, with several key figures from Rémy Martin present, including CEO Jean‑Philippe Hecquet, Executive Director Amaury Vinclet, and Elie Hériard-Dubreuil, who represented the founding family. Standing before his specially commissioned artwork, Kapoor engaged in a thoughtful conversation with Hecquet, sharing insights into the creative journey that led to the artwork - part of his recent series of mirror paintings. In a private exchange with GTR Magazine, Kapoor spoke about the four month creative process that shaped both the limited-edition decanter and the piece itself.
A personal connection inspires creative depth
“There was a sense from the beginning that it refers to my history,” Kapoor said, explaining that his father drank Rémy Martin XO in their home in India. “I carried that with me.” The collaboration is more than a brand partnership - it became a personal tribute. At its core is a color: the elusive, radiant tone of Rémy Martin XO. “I tried to find the color – pagan gold mixed with various reds and browns. It’s not easy. The color isn’t just on the surface; it reads across the void,” explained Kapoor.
The ‘Opulence Revealed’ banquet
The artist described the creation process as “a very complicated, laborious” journey involving multiple stages of polishing and refining to capture not just the look, but the emotional resonance of the XO blend.
Reimagining a house icon
Kapoor’s hand is equally evident in the redesign of the XO decanter, which preserves the spirit of the original while introducing a minimalist sculptural twist. “Of course, the decanter relates to the traditional Rémy Martin XO,” he explained, “but I wanted to take it into a much simpler form, to give it a small mark, not to change everything, but to remain within the brand and modify it slightly. It has kept its DNA.”
L-R Anish Kapoor, CEO Jean‑Philippe Hecquet and Executive Director Amaury Vinclet
The new decanter features a smooth, curved front and concave centre designed to catch and reflect light, paired with a classic scooped back and finished with a copper neck and stopper. Hériard-Dubreuil noted, “Kapoor changed one side of the bottle to be smooth and simple, but when you hold it to the light, it’s actually a tribute to the original bottle, it puts all the light onto the color.”
Rebecca Byrne and founding family representative, Elie Hériard-Dubreuil
Hecquet echoed the significance of this evolution: “Rémy Martin XO perfectly embodies the heritage and savoir-faire of the Maison. Its opulent radiance and the timeless design of the decanter inspired Anish Kapoor, whose creation now becomes a part of our brand’s enduring legacy.”
Bringing the collaboration to travel retail
The limited-edition Rémy Martin XO x Anish Kapoor will make its mark across global travel retail in a series of immersive activations. The rollout begins in Hong Kong, with showcases at the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Link station and Hong Kong International Airport, in partnership with Avolta and China Duty Free Group. Additional installations will follow in London Heathrow, Zayed International, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
The activation site at the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Link station
The “Mirror Infinite Possibilities” activation invites travellers on a three-step sensory experience: “Reflecting Memories” (a gamified memory-to-cocktail journey), “Interlocking Lights and Colours” (a look at the liquid's hues through the decanter), and “Mirroring Infinite Possibilities” (an interactive concave mirror installation inspired by Kapoor’s iconic works). The experience culminates in guided tastings and food pairings.
