This year, the vibrant art scene at Art Basel Miami Beach will be illuminated by a captivating collaboration that bridges art, nature, and tradition. Renowned LA-based artist Sam Falls will present a provocative series of works under the auspices of Ruinart’s esteemed “Conversations with Nature” artist program. This initiative, celebrating nearly three centuries of dialogue between nature and craftsmanship, finds a new voice through Falls’ visionary engagement with the natural environment surrounding the historic Taissy vineyard—an intimate setting that embodies the spirit of tradition, biodiversity, and the impermanence of life itself.
Ruinart, the world’s oldest champagne house, has long cultivated an ethos rooted in harmony with nature. Since its founding nearly 300 years ago, Ruinart has nurtured a relationship that transcends mere production—embracing an ongoing conversation with the environment that sustains its terroir. The Maison’s commitment to celebrating this dialogue guides its artistic initiatives, transforming aging vineyards and natural landscapes into living sources of inspiration. In 2025, this tradition continues with Sam Falls, an artist whose practice embodies organic evolution and ephemeral beauty.
Falls’ contribution is no ordinary art exhibit; it is a poetic harmony between natural processes and photographic principles. His works, created in direct contact with the Taissy vineyard’s flora and environmental forces, are botanical portraits that integrate organic materials—flowers, leaves, and branches—collected from the very soil that nurtures the vines. These elements serve not merely as subjects but as active participants in the creation of art. Using an intuitive, organic process, Falls arranges these botanical specimens on canvas and applies sprayed pigments. Over time, humidity, sunlight, rain, and starlight interact with these materials, causing the pigments and textures to evolve—revealing the fleeting, impermanent essence of nature’s beauty.
This method echoes the principles of photographic exposure, where time becomes a fundamental component. By capturing the transformative imprint of natural forces over extended periods, Falls’ works embody the concept of natural transience—each piece a moment frozen in time yet inherently destined to fade or evolve, emphasizing the impermanence that underpins all life. His approach underscores art’s capacity to mirror nature’s fleeting yet profound cycles—a visual meditation on change, decay, and renewal.
The placement of these works at the Taissy vineyard is deliberate and meaningful. Here, Falls integrates local flora with introduced species—deliberately enriching the ecosystem—mirroring Ruinart’s own philosophy of biodiversity and ecological stewardship. The vineyard becomes an interactive canvas, where organic growth and artistic intervention coalesce into a living testament to harmony with nature.
Furthermore, the sculptural forms in Falls’ compositions—oblong and arched shapes—are thoughtfully conceived. They evoke the stained glass windows of Reims Cathedral, linking the sacred architecture of French heritage to the sacred act of nature’s transformation. The vaulted chalk pits of Ruinart, once subterranean limestone quarries, inspire the arching forms, weaving a visual narrative of history, craftsmanship, and natural resilience.
This dialogue between art and environment exemplifies Ruinart’s belief that art can serve as a catalyst for connection, enlightenment, and transformation. The artworks, initially debuting at Art Basel Miami Beach, will journey afterward to Champagne’s Rue des Crayères—where the Maison’s mastery of Chardonnay and terroir converges with contemporary art—creating a seamless continuum of tradition and innovation.
In sum, Sam Falls’ “Conversations with Nature” series is more than a display of artistic talent; it is a testament to the enduring relationship between humanity and the environment. Through organic materials, natural forces, and the passage of time, Falls invites us to reconsider our place within the natural world—highlighting its ephemeral beauty and inspiring a deeper appreciation for ecological harmony. This project exemplifies how art can serve as a bridge—connecting heritage, nature, and creative innovation—ultimately enriching our understanding of the fragile yet resilient web of life that sustains us all.