On Friday, September 25th,Hundreds of thousands of followers around the world tuned in via Livestream as Maison Hennessy hosted “A World Odyssey”, a unique global art spectacle presented on the Charente River in Cognac, France.
In Kenya, the event brought together Top Tier CEOs from the region to celebrate a century and a half of creating and mastering the perfect blend ofHennessy XO. The event was yet another instance of the energy, persistence, and hope demonstrated by Maison Hennessy this year in an effort to support its communities in Cognac and internationally. “World Odyssey” carries a dual message from the illustrious cognac maker and the artist, one of consolation to those affected by the pandemic, and of confidence in the future that was live-streamed across digital platforms all over the world
Conceived and executed by the renowned contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang, the daytime fireworks event was launched from 150 oak barrels anchored on the Charente’s surface that echoed Hennessy X.O’s 150th anniversary where the artist used his signature coloured gunpowder to create an impressionistic canvas representing his vision of the fireworks spectacle. That artwork is now a part of Hennessy’s permanent collection. “For A World Odyssey, I wanted to create something vibrant and colourful to evoke emotions of optimism and courage,” explained Cai Guo-Qiang.
Speaking at the event in Kenya, Alexandre Helaine Market Manager Eastern Africa Moet Hennessy said “As Maison’s emblematic blend, Hennessy X.O is embraced all over the world as a standard for excellence. Most of all, it is synonymous with elegance and quality, thanks to a graceful yet complex blend of Eaux-de-vie. This alchemy gives the cognac its intense amber hue, rich layering of flavours with extraordinary persistence on the palate.”.
Each drop of Hennessy X.O is an invitation to awaken the senses. Thanks to a meticulous blending process, Hennessy X.O is a cognac of time-honoured consistency. The Master Blenders’ commitment to preserving quality, from the very first carafe to this day, has made this cognac an enduring symbol: its noble character stirs taste sensations while it’s powerful, carefully balanced structure guarantees an extremely long finish.
“Staging the event on the Charente as a metaphor for Hennessy’s history seems appropriate—the river was the channel through which its cognac traveled to the rest of the world. Fireworks in the daytime alluded to another dimension of poetry, as the smoke created forms akin to wild cursive scripts written in the air. There’s a feeling of freedom and movement despite the unknown; of creating joy and persisting despite obstacles in an unpredictable context.”
Said Laurent Boillot, chairman, and CEO of Hennessy: “2020 will remain in all our memories for its uncertainty and difficulty. But for the Maison Hennessy, this is also the 150th anniversary year for an iconic cognac, Hennessy X.O. This exceptional performance is intended as a message of hope — and we feel that today it is practically our duty to be optimistic. Cai Guo-Qiang’s work has impalpable poetry, as does Hennessy X.O. It is our pleasure to host this fireworks event for the people of Cognac, and our friends all over the world.”
The event was and is still available on a choose-your-view Multicam format on Hennessy.com
In keeping with a shared commitment to health and environmental protection, Maison Hennessy and Cai Guo-Qiang ensured that the “A World Odyssey” daytime fireworks event was staged using exclusively non-toxic, biodegradable, CE-certified pyrotechnic products. These products were sourced from a manufacturer aligned with EU environmental regulations. The event was held by the most stringent health measures.
HENNESSY X.O: INSPIRING THE ARTS
Hennessy X.O has long been celebrated by artists and icons in their own right.
The Hennessy X.O odyssey is one that the internationally acclaimed filmmakers Ridley Scott and Nicholas Winding Refn each have explored. Commissioned in 2019 and 2016, respectively, their films harnessed the emotions this blend arouses and rendered them in unforgettable cinematic sequences.
The Hennessy X.O odyssey has been celebrated through exclusive artistic events. In 2017, Hennessy mounted an exhibition at selected points along the Silk Road, retracing its adventure through the artwork of seven artists in seven cities and countries the famed route traverses, from Istanbul, Turkey, to Shanghai, China.
In keeping with the legacy of the distinctive carafe Gérald de Geoffre designed for Hennessy X.O in 1947, the Maison Hennessy has become synonymous with bold and daring contemporary design. Leading designers on the international scene — Marc Newson and Tom Dixon among them – have reinterpreted Hennessy X.O’s multifaceted story in highly sought-after collector’s editions. Exceptional sizes, notably the six-litre Mathusalem, have inspired artisans and artists to create limited editions.
“Not only is Hennessy X.O an icon among cognacs, but it’s also a beautiful symbol of Hennessy’s ability to last. Then, as now, we always looked toward the horizon,” notes Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde
