Courtesy of Bombay Sapphire Gin
Bombay Sapphire held the first art auction where collectors bid on an original piece by renowned sculpture artist Dan Lam with their senses instead of with money
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In honor of International Gin & Tonic Day, October 19, Bombay Sapphire has collaborated with artist Dan Lam to host the world’s first Sensory Auction, an event where an exclusive work of art is auctioned off to a fan not with the most money, but with the strongest emotional, sensory reaction to seeing the piece. Designed to bring to life the sensorial experience of enjoying the Bombay & Tonic, bidders had their reactions to the artwork measured through a unique combination of emotional and intensity readings to discover the piece’s most impassioned owner.
As an extension of the brand’s Senses Stirred global campaign, Dan’s sculpture drew inspiration from the iconic drink, from the way the vibrant flavor of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE dances on your tongue, to the citrus-forward aroma making a grand introduction to your nose, and the finale of the 10 unique, organic vapor-infused botanicals stimulating your tastebuds. Recognized as the ultimate canvas for cocktail creativity that inspires bartenders and drinkers to experiment with flavor and versatility, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE drew on Dan Lam’s renowned visual language to spotlight the elevated, balanced and refreshing nature of the Bombay & Tonic.
“Bombay Sapphire has always encouraged modern gin drinkers, bartenders and artists alike to embrace their own creative self-expression – that is the very essence of our Stir Creativity platform and remains at the heart of everything we do as a brand. For us, creativity is essential so to visually showcase the beauty and simplicity of the classic Bombay & Tonic and ignite people’s senses, it was natural for us to partner with Dan Lam on our mission to making the art world more accessible,” says Jaime Keller, Brand Director BOMBAY SAPPHIRE North America. “After the last year, we found that people were craving outlets and access for creativity more than ever before. We are excited to participate in the conversation to democratize the art world, with the event’s focus on passion and conviction as the route to collecting an incredible piece of art instead of access to money.”
Held in the bustling arts district in New York’s Lower East Side, the Sensory Auction was open to art-lovers through designated time slots which were booked up within minutes. Participants were fitted with state-of-the-art neuro-aesthetic technology to measure their subconscious sensory reactions to determine the most passionate bidder, from electrodes being placed along the scalp for brain wave readings, skin galvanic response technologies to detect even the most minute of sweat drops to eye tracking technology to measure focus and engagement.
The art enthusiasts then viewed Lam’s artwork for the first time, which featured materials that were layered on top of one another to reflect the ingredients which comprise the Bombay & Tonic cocktail. The tonic water is reflected in the hints of white swirled in with a deep blue, which is inspired by the hue of blue that encompasses the Bombay Sapphire bottle. The work is finished off with a myriad of spikes to harken back to the complexities of ingredients used in the distilling of Bombay Sapphire gin.
“I’m so excited to be partnering with Bombay Sapphire to award this piece to the person who feels the most joy from my sculpture. It’s important to me to share my work with people who might not otherwise get a chance to experience it, especially after the past year. The goal with the Sensory Auction is to help in the efforts to democratize the art world, making it a more inclusive space,” says Dan Lam.
In celebration of the Sensory Auction and the brand’s partnership with Lam, there is an exclusive cocktail named the Dan & Tonic which will be served at the event and is inspired by Lam’s creative process.
The Dan & Tonic Cocktail
1.5 oz Bombay Sapphire
5 oz Fever Tree Lemon Tonic
¼ oz Edible Blackberry Puree
METHOD: Build Bombay and Tonic in a balloon glass with fresh ice. Serve with the resin in its own paint jar. Pour resin over cocktail and use stir rod to incorporate as much or as little as you would like.
For more information on the Sensory Auction, watch a behind-the-scenes film that delves into the sensorial experience behind the Bombay & Tonic and showcases the recipient of this exclusive piece of artwork HERE.
Link to high-res imagery HERE
Link to YouTube Film HERE
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Zara Biggs, zbiggs@nikecomm.com
