To Unveil a Monumental Art Piece that Transcends Time

In a glorious celebration of artistry and tradition, the eminent crochet Singapore artist Kelly Lim has joined hands with LOUIS XIII Cognac to introduce a mesmerizing artwork that embodies the essence of time. Aptly named ‘100,’ the artwork takes us on a profound journey of the significance of time, materials, and the reinterpretation of traditional craftsmanship, mirroring the meticulous elaboration of LOUIS XIII Cognac production and the exquisite art of crocheting.

Kelly Lim, famously known as Kelly Limerick, stands as a distinguished Singaporean visual artist with crochet and knit as her primary mediums. Renowned for her unique interpretation of the ancient craft of crochet, Limerick was handpicked by the luxury cognac House to craft an installation that represents the ethos of LOUIS XIII and THE DROP – the latest product innovation by LOUIS XIII. THE DROP embodies a new generation that fearlessly reinvents luxury codes through ownership, nurturing a distinctive ‘art-de-vivre’ reminiscent of Limerick’s approach toward art.

Before creating the art piece, Limerick sought inspiration through a journey to the esteemed LOUIS XIII Domaine du Grollet Estate in Cognac, France. Here, she immersed herself in the rich history and heritage of LOUIS XIII Cognac, which has remained unchanged since its inception by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874. Limerick had the privilege to explore the vineyards and tour the cellars alongside Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau. As she strolled through the century-old barrels, she was captivated by the timeless heritage of the House.

“The sense of history in the old town was unmistakable, and upon my arrival, I grasped why LOUIS XIII is steadfast about its origin and identity,” expressed Limerick. “There’s an evident pride in the meticulous approach, a serene and unwavering dedication to savoir-faire passed down from one cellar master to the next. Ageing the eaux-de-vie holds an element of unpredictability, where nuances such as the position of each tierçon (unique barrels of the House) in the cellar or shifts in humidity may yield distinct flavours. It falls upon the cellar master to trust their palate, sampling the diverse eaux-de-vie to craft the familiar blend of LOUIS XIII that we recognize. These two elements — trust in the unknown and confidence in personal skill — resonate with me and have inspired me greatly.”

The visit to Cognac laid the foundation for Limerick’s masterpiece. The artwork, which she unraveled and reworked 100 times to depict the progression of time, presented both physical and creative challenges. “It involved four months of daily dedication; more time and effort required than if I did 100 individual pieces,” she confessed, highlighting the similarity to the laborious production of the precious liquid. LOUIS XIII is composed of the House cellars’ finest eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne, each distilled and selected at different times in history and blended to create a distinctive cognac by LOUIS XIII.

‘100’ embodies the unwavering dedication towards creativity of both Limerick and LOUIS XIII Cognac. The final sculpture, resembling a vessel with a double-walled bowl within, cradles soil collected from Cognac. ‘100’ represents the culmination of artistic exploration and the essence of the LOUIS XIII heritage. Crafted as a single piece without joins or internal structures, the sculpture, like a fountain, remains hollow. By incorporating soil from the vineyards in Cognac — which encapsulates the essential elements that mature into the flavorful layers in LOUIS XIII as it ages — ‘100’ symbolizes the beginning – the spring of life which created the cognac that could only be tasted decades later.

“We are honored to collaborate with Kelly Limerick, having her join us in exploring intertwined concepts of time and preserving artistic heritage for future generations. Kelly’s approach strongly resonates with the DNA of LOUIS XIII and the universe of THE DROP. She comprehends LOUIS XIII’s perspective on time as a means of inspiration from the past and the present to envision the future and our commitment to thinking a century ahead,” shares Anne-Laure Pressat, Executive Director of LOUIS XIII Cognac.

‘100’ was created in collaboration with LOUIS XIII THE DROP. THE DROP is a spontaneous experience of LOUIS XIII Cognac: a 1cl bottle for a generation of nomads. THE DROP retails at Tatler Bar at S$288 for 1cl, and S$1,440 for a pack of five 1cl bottles. The add-on accessory of a lanyard with a leather bottle case is priced at $168.

About LOUIS XIII
Since 1874, LOUIS XIII Cognac is forever reborn from the precious eaux-de-vie of Cognac Grande Champagne, handed down through generations and artfully blended. Time is the raw material with which this rare spirit is crafted, its essence unwavering.

Guided by Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau, LOUIS XIII is the symbol of an enduring bond with Nature and Terroir, strengthened by the patina of age. Each drop is a living legacy, each decanter a celebration of visionary minds and human hands that shape the future by making a mark on tomorrow, today.

Think a century ahead.