Sculpture for The Glenlivet Eternal Collection (2024)
Created for the first edition of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, this computationally designed sculpture celebrates the complexity of the 55 year-old whisky - The Glenlivet's oldest expression to date. The elaborate, highly detailed sculpture is 3D printed and subsequently plated in rose gold, gracefully enveloping the spherical decanter. The sculpture pays tribute to the rugged Scottish landscape surrounding the distillery and captures the flowing essence of the River Livet in the Spey Valley. The first edition of the Glenlivet Eternal Colletion comprises 100 bottles of this single malt.
Alongside this limited edition, a singular masterpiece has been created: The Glenlivet 200th Anniversary Edition 1 of 1 whisky. This exceptional 55-year-old whisky is accompanied by a distinct, intricately designed sculpture that takes the form of an ornate golden shell, resting on a base of Brazilian emerald quartzite. It elegantly cradles a spherical whisky decanter adorned with peridot, forming a luminous halo around it.
At first glance, the sculpture’s symmetrical beauty captivates, but a closer look reveals a complex array of bespoke details. Delicate tendrils and sinuous branches intertwine, echoing the fluidity of nature and creating a composition full of surprises. Each feature and articulation is meticulously crafted, highlighting the sculpture’s algorithmic design process.
The lavish 24-carat gold plating reflects and refracts light, creating a captivating interplay with the whisky itself. This golden ornamentation harmonizes beautifully with the rich color of the whisky, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship that celebrates both art and nature.
The Sculpture's Design Process
One of the fascinating aspects of whisky is that it’s made from just three simple ingredients: water, barley, and yeast. Following distillation, it develops its unique flavors over many years of aging in casks. Despite the straightforward ingredients and seemingly simple process, the final product boasts astounding complexity. While the process itself is precise and controlled, the result is not entirely foreseeable, often unveiling delightful surprises and unexpected nuances.
Much like the dark casks of whisky, the algorithmic process can be likened to a black box: with millions of molecular interactions occurring simultaneously, it can be difficult to fully comprehend what’s happening inside. However, the outcome can be rich and multifaceted, yielding novel creations just waiting to be discovered.
The design process for the golden sculpture of the Eternal Edition begins with the simple shape of the whisky decanter. This spherical geometry is transformed and enriched in millions of steps using subdivision and extrusion algorithms, resulting in a rich and intricate system of ornamentation. The final piece is a true celebration of the whisky's craftsmanship and creativity.
The Glenlivet 55 Year Old Eternal Collection: First Edition
Sculpture:
- Algorithmically generated geometry
- 40 million individual surfaces
- 3D printed composite with rose gold plating
- Base crafted out of cast white jesmonite
Decanter:
- Pure silver top with rose gold plating
Edition of 100 bottles, 55 years of age,
Single malt scotch whisky
The Glenlivet 200th Anniversary Edition, Bottle 1 of 1
Sculpture:
- Algorithmically generated geometry
- 54 million individual surfaces
- 3D printed composite with 24-carat gold plating
- Base crafted out of robotically milled Brazilian emerald quartzite
Decanter:
- Pure silver top with 24-carat gold plating
- Pave set peridot gemstones (37 in total)
- Handmade enamelling
1 singular bottle, 55 years of age,
Single malt scotch whisky
