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Inspired by nature and the work that goes into creating and maintaining a vineyard, scenographer and furniture designer Hubert le Gall talks about his latest art piece—“The Glass Calendar”, a collaboration with the House of Ruinart.
Scenographer and furniture designer, Hubert le Gall.
For years Ruinart has collaborated with artists to create artworks that are reflective of the champagne house’s dedication to producing quality wines and vintages. This year is no exception, as they teamed up with scenographer and furniture designer Hubert le Gall to create “The Glass Calendar”. This 12-piece glass-and-wood installation takes you through the evolving stages of Ruinart’s chardonnay vineyard throughout a year, and gives a nod to the human hands that have worked to produce the fine bubbly that we’ve all grown to love.
Hubert le Gall shares his inspiration behind “The Glass Calendar” and how his work continues to evolve.
“The Glass Calendar” by Hubert le Gall for Ruinart.
How were you inspired to create “The Glass Calendar”?
Hubert le Gall Each artist[that Ruinart works with] is given a special idea. For me, [it was] to speak about the historical place—the vineyard, where the chardonnay story starts—in Reims.
When I arrived at the vineyard, it was February... the vineyard is not the vision it is in harvest, full of grapes. It’s only [made up of] branches and wood for kilometres. It was so depressing. At the same time, [I realised] each vine was there because of attentive work from the men labouring at the vineyard; men trying to control nature, trying to get the best from nature. Immediately I thought of French gardens—it’s a very French vision of creation.
I thought “time” is also something very important. The grapes are harvested, then they wait for the champagne to be made, then they wait for it in the cellar, and then they choose when to open the bottle. I thought about a calendar. For me it was the best way to have a clear vision of each month. They say it has 12 pieces, for me it’s 12 pieces making one piece.
Hubert le Gall with Frédéric Dufour, president and CEO of the House of Ruinart.
Why were glass and wood chosen for this?
Le Gall I just wanted to have technical pieces in my work—that’s why I used wood. [It] is the presence of nature in each sculpture, and the glass is an invocation of the human work. I did not want to have any ring, metal or screw. There is something similar in the way we made the glass [for these sculptures] and the way they make champagne. When I have a glass of champagne in my hand, I think about the kind of pleasure that I have, visual pleasure, colour, and of course taste. I don’t think about all the technique—all the men and women working to do this.
I chose Murano glass especially because there is a print of the human hand creating this. If I chose Baccarat for example, it would be crystal, very pure, very noble, but I think champagne is not that. It’s something more human—full of things beyond the first appearance. When you see a [champagne] glass, the first thing you see is that it’s perfect. But if you look more closely, it’s not so perfect. It’s balanced with imperfection and perfection. And that is human creation.
Le Gall at Art Stage Singapore 2016, where some pieces of “The Glass Calendar” were showcased.
Is this the first time you’ve eliminated metal fixtures from your art?
Le Gall I hate to see the technical things in my creations. If you look at my furniture, I try to hide as much as I can. Even if you have a chest of drawers, I am very attentive to the fixation of the door. Quality is not only what you see; it’s also behind that. It should be the pleasure, it should be in the details. Sometimes I like to play with the illusion that things are just floating, no fixation. Sometimes my assistant tells me I’m crazy, but it’s an obsession: I like people who look very easy-going, but I know that behind that there is worth, there is a strong personality. Things should look easy—that’s elegance for me. That’s very much in the Chinese culture also. If you think about lacquer, it looks simple. But it needs a lot of attention. I like that kind of work.
Are you always completely satisfied with your artwork?
Le Gall No (Laughs). I can say I’ve made things which are interesting, but I’m always interested in the future, the piece that I’m making right now. My personal nature is to doubt. I’m the kind of artist that mixes a lot of things. I’m always trying to discover myself too. The only thing that I can say I’m very proud of is to have been myself in my work. I have no vision of prosperity. What is important for me is the pleasure to create every day, to be myself and not copy others. Every day I start again. I think that it is a good way to work: [To] say, “okay, tomorrow, better”.
The vineyard has a rigid respect for time. What is your relationship with time?
Le Gall I think that I’m a little bit afraid that time is coming too fast. That’s why I’m always making three things at the same time. I took a long time to know myself. At 50, now I’m 54, I knew that I’m a professional, as a scenographer, as an artist. I can say today that I have an artistic vision of furniture; I have my own identity. I think I am very late. Some people are like that at 35. Now I have to do a lot of things, because now my ideas are very clear. So I’m afraid that time is going too fast, but I can’t do anything about that.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Four of the 12 pieces which make up the “The Glass Calendar” were showcased at Art Stage Singapore 2016.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
VIP guests were invited to dine with Hubert le Gall at Adrift, with an exquisite champagne food pairing. (From left) Hubert le Gall, June Goh-Rin, Tan Min-Li, Alicia Loke and Jean Christophe Laizeau.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
June Goh-Rin and Jean Christophe Laizeau.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Louis Colmache and Mitalee Gupte.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Celina Lin
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Guests enjoyed the modern Californian cuisine from celebrity chef David Myers, paired with the classic Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé and the 2004 vintage.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Guests enjoyed the modern Californian cuisine from celebrity chef David Myers, paired with the classic Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé and the 2004 vintage.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Tjin Lee and Hubert le Gall.
Ruinart VIP Night at Art Stage
Tracy Phillips and Hubert le Gall.
