Drops of Inspiration is brought to you by Glenfiddich and Highsnobiety to showcase how the brand serves as an unexpected source of inspiration for pioneers to spark new ideas. From the very first drop in 1887 to its global prestige today, Glenfiddich has become an icon, not only in the world of whisky but culturally. It's time to see that unfold in the final installment of this three-part series.
2024 is well and truly underway, which means it's not long till the Lunar New Year — and this year, it's the Year of the Wood Dragon.
Known in Chinese culture to be a symbol of luck and good fortune, the dragon is everything we need to embody as we embrace this next chapter in our lives. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Glenfiddich joins forces with Japanese artist Raku Inoue to honor the Wood Dragon and the Glenfiddich Stag in a limited-edition design that marks the culmination of Drops of Inspiration.
Drops of Inspiration has seen Glenfiddich foster new creative relationships with talents from around the world, from fashion and design to art and installation. In the spirit of the new year, it’s only right that Glenfiddich’s final campaign is all about new energy, new ways of being creative, and new ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It’s time for you to grab this year by the (dragon) horns and make it one of your best yet.
Titled A Gift For Blossoming Futures, the Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva Lunar New Year gift box is full of flavor and flair. Inspired by nature’s splendor and the re-emergence of the mythical Wood Dragon, it celebrates the great outdoors with the detailed design of multidisciplinary artist Raku Inoue, bringing the story to life. Inoue personifies the Glenfiddich spirit, rooted in craft and heritage but with a forward-thinking approach to his practice.
Born in Japan but currently residing in Canada, Inoue’s journey has seen him explore all facets of the art world, from drawing and handwork to photography and multi-medium painting. His love of nature has seen him experiment with organic materials such as flowers, leaves, and other plants — perfect for this collaboration, considering Glenfiddich's connection to the outdoors and craft.
Each zodiac year is associated with one of the five elements: wood, fire, Earth, metal, and water. In Chinese philosophy, wood is believed to represent growth, progress, and development, as well as new beginnings and a fresh start. "Lunar New Year represents renewal, and what better symbol than nature? My aim was to take you on a journey to the great outdoors, harnessing some of the most magnificent elements. Fu Lu, the Glenfiddich Stag, is formed and crafted petal by petal, element by element from natural materials, fitting this auspicious moment in time,” says Inoue. With wood personifying new life in the new year, Inoue’s homage to the Wood Dragon and the Glenfiddich Stag couldn't be more fitting. Enough from us; let’s dive into the artist's world and find out how he brought this special story to life.
So Raku, what inspires you most?
There’s something revitalizing about touching grass barefoot and being in tune with your surroundings. A connection forms between the elements and the self, creating opportunities for wonderful things to happen. As a visual artist, I strive to channel this energy into my work and capture the pure essence of nature’s beauty — I want to make my creations feel like they are extensions of the environment.
What does the Lunar New Year mean to you?
Lunar New Year is a time of festivity when people gather to celebrate prosperity and the blossoming future that awaits. The night sky is lit by flashes of colorful fireworks and the warm lights emanating from paper lanterns. Many flying creatures find themselves heading toward the next chapter with excitement and anticipation while a mythical beast proudly announces the arrival of a new constellation.
Raku InoueIn my opinion, being inspired is being open-minded and aware of things that are constantly happening around us. Anything and everything can become the source of the next creative spark.
Nature is at the heart of A Gift For Blossoming Futures — how important is the outdoors in your work?
There’s a “give and take” relationship between nature and me. It offers me plenty of materials to work with while teaching me about ephemerality. There is something very gratifying about appreciating small things in life. I always tell myself that happiness is never far away when you can enjoy the sound of the rain, the smell of flowers, and the warmness of the sun on your skin.
2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. How did you incorporate elements of this into your design?
We imagined a visual representation of nature coming to life in the form of Glenfiddich’s iconic Stag. The long tail of a dragon flowing in the wind, leads us towards prosperity, and the body of the Stag symbolizes a creature with historical significance. Our goal was to capture the distinctive characteristic of the stag while giving it a new coat of colorful flora.
Were there any challenges you faced?
Since the design was very complex and required many different pieces to fit together, I had to adapt accordingly. It wasn’t possible to create everything using real materials; therefore, the final product ended up being a hybrid between real and digital. However, every digital texture has been created using high-resolution images of real flowers and leaves.
How do you see your artistic practice evolve over time?
It’s hard to say, but I see myself sticking with creating nature-themed art for a while now. I don’t know how, but this is part of the excitement that comes with uncertainty. The notion that anything is possible keeps me sharp and on my toes. I’m working very hard to finish a book; it’ll compile all of my best work from the Natura Insects collection, so till then, my boots are strapped!
How will you be celebrating Lunar New Year?
There’s a lot to enjoy in this world, but being among family and friends while eating, drinking, and having a great time will always be among life's most beautiful experiences.
And finally, how do you enjoy your Glenfiddich?
Since BBQ culture is prevalent here in the West, I’ve tried making my own Glenfiddich BBQ sauce! It was delicious! You can also soak red cedar plank in Glenfiddich to cook fish on the BBQ. The taste of charcoal smoke and Glenfiddich-soaked cedar pairs perfectly with salmon or, even better, trout. But if I was to pour myself a drink, well…I prefer to take my Glenfiddich neat.
Head to our hub to learn more about Drops of Inspiration, and shop A Gift For Blossoming Futures here.
Glenfiddich. Skilfully crafted. Enjoy responsibly.
