Ruinart Turns its Reims Estate Into a Living Observatory With Tadashi Kawamata’s Tree Hut

Conversations with Nature 2026 For 2026, Maison Ruinart chose Tadashi Kawamata as its artist in residence for Conversations with Nature, an international program that commissions artists to “restore a conscious connection to the natural world.” The collaboration began with two artworks unveiled at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, followed by the installation of three permanent pieces at 4 rue des Crayères in Reims and presentations at partner art fairs such as Art Basel Hong Kong, Frieze New York and miart.

Kawamata is known globally for his site specific wooden constructions huts, walkways, nests that sit between art, architecture and design, often addressing fragility, shelter and environmental change.

Tree Hut, Nest and Observatory at Ruinart At Ruinart’s estate, Kawamata’s intervention consists of three works conceived as a unified whole: Tree Hut: A small wooden cabin built into the branches of a tree on the estate, exploring the idea of a temporary refuge suspended between nature and culture.

Nest: Installed against a historic façade, this oversized wooden structure evokes the presence of local wildlife birds, ladybirds, bats and more that support the biodiversity of the…