Published 10/10/2017
by
Bendik Kaltenborn
for
Aesop
Australian skincare brand, Aesop invited our very own Bendik Kaltenborn to illustrate the brand’s 2016-2017 Gift Kits, collectively titled “Pursuits of Passion”. The collaboration has resulted in six unique and beautiful gift kits, each of which portrays and celebrates seven naturalists long revered for their writing and illustrations. Etheldred Benett to John Muir, the eccentric naturalists portrayed are chosen for their close and adorned relationship to nature, and their contribution to new knowledge, reflecting Aesop’s own core values.
When getting into the project, Bendik collected information about the characters through their stories, found images, but also also through daily life and people around him. He found inspiration in their passions, and has emphasized on the natural habitats of the characters, with an imaginative twist, - from Minakata Kumagusu’s Japanese botanical wonderworld to first female geologist, Ethelred Bennett’s, fossil landscapes of the British coastline.
Bendik was especially amused by “The Impassioned Wanderer”, John Muir, author, environmental philosopher and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. Muir’s fascination and love for the forest and trees expanded to the extent that he climb them during storms to be a part of nature himself. Muir is skillfully portrayed by Bendik, surrounded by his natural habitat - lush, deep green Western forest.
The gift kits are available in all Aesop-stores from November 2016. Bendik´s illustrations will be a visible part of the Aesop´s communication in shops and online the coming year.
As Aesop is well known for their focus on art and their aim to support the many art forms, working with them on this project was a true honor.
