This year, Dior Science uncovered the longevity benefits of the Golden Grape, a miracle of nature that has grown at the Chateau d’Yquem for four centuries. Encapsulated in the skincare line L’Or de Vie, it features a potent active ingredient from the majestic fruit, credited with immediately restoring volume and illumination to the skin.
To celebrate the remarkable achievement, Dior Parfums invited the artist Aristide Najean to create an objet d’art that pays homage to the shining qualities of L’Or de Vie. Each of the five limited-edition bottles was hand-blown by Najean in his Murano studio in Venice. From there—a space called La Cattedrale—the master glassmaker experiments in natural materials, heat, light, shape, and movement to create precious pieces. For Dior, Najean illuminated a sculpture in crystal in 24-karat gold and gold leaf, creating a shimmering work that beholds the beauty and power of nature.
Whitewall spoke with Najean about his inspiration, his studio, and his aspirations as an artist.
Aristide Najean in his Venice studio, photo by Piotr Stoklosa for Christian Dior Parfums.
WHITEWALL: What was the starting point for this collaboration with Dior?
ARISTIDE NAJEAN: Human contact, sharing, a common vision for a beautiful project led by a prestigious house that has a real convergence with the beauty of glass and whose name is synonymous with elegance.
WW: How did you want to approach this objet d’art for L’Or de Vie? How did the scent and cream inspire the piece?
AN: L’Or de Vie draws its richness from Yquem’s geological mosaic, soils warmed by sun-drenched pebbles, and the water contained in its siliceous clay. This makes the grapes and their golden grapes all the more exceptional. The vinification in the cellar contributes to this.
As does the legend in which alchemy meets the dream of time: its quest for infinity and temporality. Just like in Murano! Where silica is the main ingredient in the composition of glass and where alchemy has challenged gold, that much-desired energy stabilizer, which contributes to the creation of dreamlike colors: ruby, the red of San Marco.
Yquem—Murano; clay—La Lagune; know-how at the winery—sculpture in the kiln; golden grain—24-karat gold leaf; perfume and cream—the mater materia. As many parallels as convergences, multiplying and crossing their parameters within the same philosophy, uniting in L’Or de Vie.
“As many parallels as convergences, multiplying and crossing their parameters within the same philosophy, uniting in L’Or de Vie,”
Aristide Najean
Dior Parfums’ L’Or de Vie bottle designed by Aristide Najean, photo by Piotr Stoklosa for Christian Dior Parfums.
The Artist’s Daily Revelations with Glass in Murano
WW: As a painter and sculptor, what draws you to working with the material of glass?
AN: The perspective that the painted picture suggests, barely sketches. This noble medium is 90 percent siliceous and of unimpeachable durability. The sculpted element, from the furnace, which suddenly comes to life in the light in shimmering curves. The attraction of my drawings and color palette, irresistibly drawn to the third dimension offered by sand. This living substance, enticing, interacting with my imagination. In all its states during its first liquid metamorphosis, boiling: its fusion at 1400 degrees Celsius. Then malleable and compact at 1150 degrees Celsius, allowing itself to be picked from the furnace with a cane and sculpted with the same age-old metal tools: tongs, chisels, compasses. Then return to the furnace every two minutes to retain its sculptural quality, lick, caress by the flames, integrating the colors, the movement, the sculptural act. And finally, its rush into the cooling furnace at 560 degrees Celsius, where it crystallizes and solidifies: its second revelation.
Its double metamorphosis, twice interacting with itself, twice called into question. Its double perilous leap, the better to be born to himself, to be itself. Every day, forever. It’s exceptional humility. My daily questioning.
WW: Can you tell us about your studio in Murano, La Cattedrale?
AN: La Cattedrale, with its high bay windows, where I enjoy being and working, where color meets matter. Filled with works on different themes, all interacting with each other and all expressing my different inspirations, my relationship with art, soul and spirit, my sincere artistic commitment. Each work speaks for itself, and there are no words to describe the synergy they exude, which only immersion reveals. It’s up to you to discover it!
Aristide Najean’s Venice studio, photo by Piotr Stoklosa for Christian Dior Parfums.
“Each work speaks for itself, and there are no words to describe the synergy they exude, which only immersion reveals,”
Aristide Najean
WW: What is a typical day like for you there?
AN: The day begins, but in reality continues the previous day and night. Dreams, creative challenges, and questioning create a continuous flow in which life participates. It’s a way of concentrating before diving into the glow of the furnace. Taking stock with the glassmaking team, checking the quality of the glass together, monitoring current prototypes and planning future ones. Checking parameters at every level. To be present in each workshop, available for everyone, especially myself, to steer the ship and bring the day to a safe harbor. The material is constantly present, inspiring, unfolding its own rhythm of work, participating, illuminating, guiding—like a lighthouse—its process of realization, the accomplishment of which brings real fulfillment and serenity. The very energy to breathe into the glass that will crystallize forever within it. This worked part of ourselves, not palpable, is the aspiration, the design, the finalization of the work.
Aristide Najean’s Venice studio, photo by Piotr Stoklosa for Christian Dior Parfums.
