Artistic collaboration Hennessy x Xu Zhen
Lunar New Year Horse Limited Edition
About the Collaboration
Moving forward in the Year of the Horse
In celebration of Lunar New Year 2026, spirits brand Hennessy proudly unveils its latest artistic collaboration. This cognac limited edition is adorned with a dynamic interpretation of the horse—an enduring symbol of energy and freedom. Rendered in metallic copper tones and deep mineral pigments, this year’s design is grounded in a flowing red palette. The galloping horse captures both the elegance and strength of this revered animal. Designed to evoke movement and meaning, the artwork celebrates bright perspectives and the forward momentum that defines the Year of the Horse.
The collaboration brings together Hennessy’s heritage and the symbolic power of the Chinese zodiac, reinterpreted through the lens of Chinese contemporary art. Inspired by the Year of the Horse, this cognac limited edition design transforms a timeless emblem of energy, freedom, and momentum into a visual language of movement and strength.
The interpretation of the Year of the Horse, inspired by a foundational idea in Eastern philosophy related to perspective, energy, and freedom, is designed to open up individual interpretations. The sculpture’s contour and empty form invite viewers to actively engage with the piece. Its outline becomes a window onto each viewer’s unique perspective. These multiple perceptions give rise to multiple interpretations, reflecting the layered complexity and evolving character of Hennessy’s cognacs.
Campaign Activation
Hennessy's horse gallops 360°
Hennessy launched a global Lunar New Year activation campaign. The VSOP, X.O and Paradis cognac limited edition feature elevated bottle designs and premium secondary packaging inspired by the Horse sculpture. Bespoke photo and video content was created to amplify brand storytelling across key channels. In-store, dedicated retail displays extended the experience. Every year, Hennessy celebrates its longstanding relationship with China through iconic artist editions in collaboration with Chinese contemporary artists and designers.
Visual Codes
Campaign Assets
- Design
- Experience
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Xu Zhen
Multidisciplinary artist Xu Zhen® is considered an iconic figure in Chinese contemporary art. He received the Best Artist prize at the Chinese Contemporary Art Award in 2004. Working across installation, video, painting, performance, and moving image, his practice merges conceptual rigor with pop strategies, shaping a distinctive visual language. His practice offers a strong framework for brand collaborations rooted in cultural relevance, image circulation, and contemporary narratives.
He first gained attention through behavioral and cultural experiments in performance and video. Blending cultural symbols with contemporary forms, Xu Zhen® examines power dynamics, representation, and the tensions of cultural hybridization. His composite works interrogate the displacement of meaning and context under accelerating globalization in the digital age.
OTHER WORKS
Maison Margiela collaboration with young textile artist: New Year, New Fragrance.
A collector’s Zodiac limited edition where the Horse embodies the passage of time.
