J. Demsky Shares the Unique Futuristic References Behind New Ballantine's Collaboration

In its latest creative project, Ballantine’s – one of the world’s leading Scotch whiskies – partners with contemporary visual artist J. Demsky to design an exclusive adaptation of its renowned Finest whisky bottle. They come together to explore and experiment with new perspectives that show the future is yours to shape.

Through its annual Limited Edition campaign, Ballantine’s has cultivated a new-age attitude in the drinks scene by partnering with creatives such as artist Felipe Pantone and filmmaker Dave Ma to reimagine its identity and encourage emerging talent to nurture their craft as part of its Stay True platform.

Ballantine’s new collaboration with J.Demsky sees the brand enter a new creative space. Drawing on digital scapes and form-altering dimensions, J.Demsky creates artwork that confidently cuts through traditional creative processes. For the exclusive limited-edition release, J. Demsky applies his trademark technicolor patterns and disruptive shapes to the minute canvas unlike any medium he’s worked on before.

Hypebeast caught up with the contemporary artist to find out how he fuses Ballantine’s forward-thinking attitude with his own creative dynamic.

Hypebeast: Ballantine’s invited you to bring your dynamic style to its latest limited-edition Finest bottle. Take us through the process of creating the design.
J. Demsky: Ballantine’s ensured that I had the freedom to express myself. Self-expression is a big part of their ethos and it’s great to see how a century-old brand is finding new ways to be relevant through culture and art – something I share when exploring new formats of expression. It’s the first time I have designed a bottle and I feel extremely excited about having the chance to share my artistic interpretation of the “Shape Your Future” concept.

What inspired your design for the bottle?
I took the same approach as I do when designing with a spray can, although in this case I tried to reflect my HPRSPC concept – relating to higher dimensions, parallel universes and a faster-than-light shortcut of interstellar travel – on the bottle. This shows a glance to the future from nostalgic times, a creation of impossible shapes gravitating in multiple dimensions in an organized chaos environment, where large static geometric white artforms prevail over chaotic, liquid pixelated shapes and colors.

The Ballantine’s Finest bottle was a completely new medium for me to work with so I adapted this concept to fit its shape and size, without losing the meaning behind my artwork and coexisting with Ballantine’s visual identity. Tradition and future are values that I share with the brand and I believe that the final outcome represents both of them perfectly.

Tell us a bit about your interpretation of the Shape Your Future message behind this collaboration.
The overarching message perfectly represents what I do as I’ve always tried to challenge the status quo in my art. Self-exploration and endless possibilities through experimentation have been the key themes of the artwork, depicting and symbolizing how there is no wrong way to shape your future. I believe that the future does not exist. I think the future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow. Being present here and now is one of my most important mantras.

“The future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow. Being present here and now is one of my most important mantras.”

How has art and design shaped your life’s work?
I’ve always felt the need to create obsessively. I’m currently expanding my creativity to very selected projects related to architecture, sculpture and music. I see art as a way to stimulate senses and heal. Over the last couple of years, I’ve felt compelled to connect my work with nature. My work has shaped everything around me.

Why is experimenting with new ideas key to this?
It’s part of my inner nature. I am a maker. I always try to push my own boundaries and try to avoid always doing the same thing. Exploration and personal research helps me keep out of my comfort zone. In the end, it’s a way to please my creative compulsion and show others that we all have our own path.

How would you encourage others to take the future into their own hands?
Personal growth comes from being out of your comfort zone, remaining authentic and staying true to yourself. Persistence and hard work are key for my development as an artist. I do not follow trends and I like to think that awakening comes from looking inside.

Why is it important that brands like Ballantine’s continue to champion artistic talent?
Ballantine’s encourages people to stay true to themselves and do things in their own way. Its ethos is all about promoting liberation from societal expectations and is an invitation for people to live life the way they want and to stand by their beliefs. When you stay true to yourself, every choice can be the right one: there’s no wrong way. I hope that my futuristic designs show that when you challenge perspectives, endless possibilities are in your hands.

The Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited-edition bottles will be available at selected retailers worldwide from November 2022. For more information on the collaboration, visit the Ballantine’s website.