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The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition, a result of the collaboration between Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects and The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass, epitomizes the fusion of architectural elegance and whisky craftsmanship, set to benefit Scotland’s V&A Dundee Museum through a Sotheby’s auction.
GABRIELLA THOMAS
In an illuminating discourse, Melodie Leung, esteemed Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, alongside Gregg Glass, the visionary Master Whisky Maker at The Dalmore, graciously revealed the elaborate intricacies and profound inspirations that culminated in the creation of The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition. This exceptional collaboration, bridging the distinguished domains of architecture and whisky craftsmanship, epitomizes a harmonious fusion of art, science, and design philosophy. It is poised to make a resounding impact at an anticipated Sotheby’s auction in May, with all proceeds generously allocated to benefit Scotland’s venerated design museum, V&A Dundee.
The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass,
ZHA Director Melodie Leung
V&A Dundee Entrance
Leung, whose tenure alongside the legendary Zaha Hadid spanned over a decade, elucidated that the cornerstone of inspiration for the series’ design was ingeniously derived from the complexity inherent in whisky and the graceful simplicity of its flow through the distillery’s uniquely contoured stills. This profound observation gave rise to a design ethos that resonates with Zaha Hadid Architects’ unwavering commitment to navigating the intricacies of a project whilst manifesting an elegantly architectural resolution. The design of The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition is profoundly influenced by Hadid’s architectural ethos, championing fluidity, innovation, and the seamless integration of the environment within the design paradigm.
Leung articulated on the collaboration, stating, “The quintessence of whisky making is a delicate balance of art and science... Throughout this journey, I have cultivated a deeper admiration for the extraordinary levels of vision, talent, and meticulous care, perennially invested by the team at The Dalmore.” This reflection accentuates the profound mutual respect and shared commitment to artisanal excellence that was emblematic of the collaboration.
The Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson, ZHA Director Melodie Leung, The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass
The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass holding The Dalmore Luminary No.2 – The Collectible – 2024 Edition box
Addressing the challenges encountered in the design process, particularly in the deliberation between established methods and avant-garde approaches, Leung highlighted the creation of a rare glass sculpture destined to enshrine a bespoke The Dalmore 49 Year Old Highland Single Malt. This endeavor, marked by its magnitude and complexity, necessitated a synthesis of intuition, trust, and the collective expertise of the team, ensuring a harmonious equilibrium between ambition and practicality.
Leung attributes her foundational design philosophy to her tenure with Zaha Hadid, reflecting, “Zaha imparted much of my design knowledge... Her mentorship cultivated my innate affinity towards cities, beauty, art, and music,” thus underscoring Hadid’s profound influence on her creative and collaborative ethos.
The Dalmore Luminary No.2 – The Rare – 2024 Edition – Glass Sculpture
The Dalmore Luminary No.2 – The Collectible – 2024 Edition - a new, bespoke 16 Year Old, available worldwide
Leung anticipates an emerging trend in the fusion of architecture/design and luxury commodities, propelled by an escalating demand for unparalleled quality and creativity. These collaborations are evolving into deeply meaningful ventures, yielding artifacts and concepts that not only transcend temporality but also significantly contribute to our cultural heritage. The Dalmore Luminary Series, in particular, stands as a paragon of such partnerships’ potential to captivate and innovate, whilst concurrently bolstering cultural institutions like V&A Dundee.
As The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition approaches its global unveiling, the synergistic endeavor between Melodie Leung and The Dalmore transcends mere design and whisky craftsmanship milestones; it exemplifies the vital importance of nurturing cultural and artistic enterprises through such pioneering partnerships.