Immersive art installation by celebrated artist Elaine Yan Ling Ng explores the relationship between artistry, science, and cultural heritage

A commissioned interactive art piece by Hong Kong-based artist instils The Macallan House in Hong Kong with interactivity and symbolism

Award-winning Hong Kong-based artist, and textile and materials designer, Elaine Yan Ling Ng, unveiled her most recent large-scale installation, Phantasmagoria, at The Macallan House Hong Kong. In celebration of the first flagship store in the city, Ng was commissioned to create an installation that reflects The Macallan’s commitment to excellence in whisky-making, and deep respect for nature. Utilising handcrafted materials blended with cutting-edge digital technology, the installation seamlessly fuses these elements to tell a story of artistry, scientific discovery, and cultural heritage, while simultaneously creating a unique sensory journey and exploration opportunity for visitors to immerse in.

Ng’s installation encapsulates The Macallan Six Pillars Foundations, which include: The Estate, Curiously Small Stills, Exceptional Oak Casks, Sherry Wine Seasoning, Natural Colour and Mastery. Inspired by the poetic and symbiotic relationship between the oak cask and the initially transparent spirit, Ng envisions this work as an intersection between reality and imagination, humanity and nature, motion and space.

Phantasmagoria is constructed with a combination of over 200 unique 3D printed polycarbonate structures, LED panels, as well as handmade non-woven and 3D knit sheer textiles. Spanning over seven metres wide, two and half metres high and weighing approximately 200 kilograms, each of the work’s three complex layers were individually positioned onsite. The chosen colours depict the natural distillation process as the colour of whisky slowly develops from the oak cask during the maturation process. The micro-movement of wood grain, humidity, and temperature are all repeatable, but not perfectly replicated, creating the illusion of being immersed in a golden flow. The surreal and unexpected realisation of interactivity that the illuminated installation unveils in the presence of visitors add playfulness and whimsy to the work. Additionally, the 3D printing process resulted in 70% less waste than traditional structural methods, and the material was chosen for its durability and strength, ensuring the sculpture’s longevity as a permanent installation. Each module has been designed so that it can be expanded in a larger organic form to continue the heritage story of The Macallan, extending future possibilities for this work.

To create an immersive whisky experience, a curated journey was actualised through four key factors includingWalking Through the Estate, Unique Tasting Experience, Understanding the Natural Colour, and Embracing the Journey. Ng created a software programme that will enable control through manual digital activation where each whisky tasting session can be elevated with a heightened sensory experience. The 3D installation creates a virtual reality experience of the Estate, transporting guests to a whisky journey in Scotland, transforming The Paragon into a monumental whisky glass where the kinetic animation of light mimic guests’ swirling tipple in hand.

The sculptural installation forms an integral part of The Macallan House Hong Kong. Respecting the interior of copper walls, Albariza stone, and oak flooring offset with warm, deep red accents, Ng adds a personal interactive dimension that enhances the sense of space and intimacy, while emphasising The Macallan’s respect for heritage, progress, artistry, and nature. Inspired by the poetry of the relationship between the oak casks and the initially transparent spirit, Phantasmagoria too transforms into hues from pale gold to deep burgundy through audience interaction with the wood grain, humidity, and temperature – all mirrored through 3,000 unique handmade petals.

Artist Elaine Yan Ling Ng said, “Nurture by Nature is one of The Macallan’s key values, and using our senses to celebrate the magical moment when our body choreography becomes a part of the artwork makes it unique. The sculptural form represents fluidity and is one of the most significant and instrumental parts of the design. The installation only comes alive when there are people around it, and only then do they understand the sensory link to whisky craftsmanship, as this work of art is meant to be studied with all five senses. Through movement and light, the installation reflects our relationship, both personal and collective, with nature and, in turn, nature’s effect on us.”

The Macallan House Hong Kong will continue to host exciting events and programmes to showcase collaborations with artists, designers, luxury partners and prestige brands. Peter Woo, Marketing Director of The Macallan Hong Kong commented on this unique collaboration, “Elaine has created a wonderful and mesmerising piece of artwork. We are thrilled to see that the installation captures three of the most important elemental foundations of The Macallan, The Curiously Small Pot Still, The Exceptional Oak Cask, and The Natural Colour. This one-of-a-kind work of art echoes exceptionally well with The Macallan whisky and is certain to captivate whisky enthusiasts as they are savouring our whisky while appreciating the wonder of Phantasmagoria!” For more information and reservations, please visit Book The Macallan House Hong Kong | The Macallan® to indulge in an elevated whisky experience at The Macallan House Hong Kong.