The world of distillation is a male-dominated one, so we got excited when the distiller Marthe Bøhn asked us to create the brand and packaging design for her latest undertaking a Gullmunn Spritfabrikk, with a cask matured akevitt being the first product.
Gullmunn Spritfabrikk
Female vision opposes the Anthropocentric vision that has dominated our society, with a belief that human beings are the most important entity in the universe. We wanted to portray an image of nature where every being is equally important. With this starting point, we saw a possibility to create a different narrative in the spirits category. The naming of the distillery is inspired by Herman Hesse's novel 'Gullmunn og Narcissus' in which the protagonist Gullmunn represents nature, exploration and a “feminine mind”.
The illustration is an homage to Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) and her study of the butterfly’s symbiotic relationship to plants. Maria Sybilla herself worked in a male dominated profession and her studies are today considered the very foundation of the term ecology. The butterfly´s metamorphosis on the oak branch represents rebirth and change, and is a metaphor to the process of distillation itself where liquid turns to vapour, before reappearing again as a purified product. Oak barrels are used in the maturation of the akevitt.
Maria Sibylla Merian
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) is considered among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology, because of her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly. She worked in a male dominated world and her contribution has been overlooked by most historians of science.
In 1705, Merian published Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, for which she became famous. Her illustrations were not only the first to depict the life cycles of insects along with their plant hosts; they were also the first to emphasize interactions among the species portrayed – the very foundation of the study of ecology.
The butterfly is one of the most symbolic animals connected to life and the power of personal transformation. Encountering a butterfly is the sign of the transition from an old life to a new life, from a state of ignorance to a state of awareness.
The glass shape is inspired by vintage apothecary bottles and and the engraved cork is made in oak. The illustration technique is pointillism and is silkscreened on the bottle with 7 colours. The decorated bottle is inviting to be reused as a carafe once the bottle is empty and the label is off. The main typographical label is inspired by taxonomical documents employing a subtle grey paper, while the foot label is gold hot-foiled.
All collaborators in this project were women.
2023
Tessas Eplegård
An organic orchard in Hardanger practicing interspecies friendship
2023
Kokkeløren
Meal-kits made by chefs
2023
Avamposto Gin
Infused with locally sourced botanicals and lavander harvested in the slopes
2023
Stereoscope Coffee Roaster
Restoring appreciation of coffee as a living plant
2022
Himkok RTD
Made with Himkok´s legendary unaged Aquavit
2022
Chelan Beauty
An organic farm in Washington articulating a new idea of deliciousness
2022
The Cocktail Factory
A new range of RTD's, following the success of Shake-it Cordials
2022
Limonade
Soda inspired made with Raspberries and Elderflower
2022
Becco Winebar
Natural wine, music, and culture in a backyard in Tullinløkka (Oslo)
2021
Pursue Hard Seltzer
A range of sparkling sodas for grown-ups. Made in India
2021
Château Picoron
Making wines by honouring natural and self imposed constraints
2021
We live in the house across the street
The second novel by photographer and writer Morten Andenæs.
2020
Stavanger Ysteri
The cheese maker that made it to Maaemo
2020
Shake-it Mixer
Bringing cordials back to the "Art of Mixing". Crafted in Copenhagen.
2020
Ambijus
The Lab is our terroir. A range of alcohol-free wine alternatives.
2020
Hovelsrud
A farm on the island Helgøya doing regenerative agriculture, with ecological chickens and an edible garden
2019
Rekedal Pølsefabrikk
Traditional, family driven sausage factory in Follebu
2019
Nykr
Handmade and ecological skincare made by Cecilie F. Egeberg
2019
Himkok
Oslo is the home of the world's most sustainable bar
2019
Gullmunn Spritfabrikk
The creation of Marthe Bøhn, pioneering in a male-dominated business
2019
CF18 Chocolatier
A Norwegian engineer-turned-chocolatier
2018
Holmen Crisp
Bringing back the joy of baking to a gluten-free living
2018
Tales of (33cl)
These are the tales of Vodka, Gin and Rum
2018
Braastad Cognac
Cognac for special occasions that feels modern and accessible
2018
Pins
A selection of our projects made into pins
2018
Oslotre
Good and honest buildings sustainably produced in wood
2018
Sepoy & Co
Indian tonic, made in India, by Indians
2018
"Du, jeg, og Erik"
A naked and vulnerable first novel by the photographer Morten Andenæs
2018
Tales of (70cl)
A captain, a barman, a mule and two lucky friends
2017
Gilde Juleaquavit
Celebrating 30 years and giving honour to a master distiller
2017
Snåsa Water
Creating a contemporary vessel for the most humble of all drinks
2017
Babylife
A range of ecological products for the care of mother and child
2017
Hellstrøm Sommer
Medicinal plants are at their strongest if collected on Midsummer night
2016
Malbrum Parfums
Norwegian parfumes by Kristian Hilberg and nose Delphine Thierry
2016
Balholm Handverkcider
Craft cider from deep inside the Sognefjord
2016
Backe i Grensen
The last standing family-owned department store in Oslo
2016
Balholm Epledram 6666
The story of the gardener and his 6666 apple trees
2016
Balholm Fruktvin
The Medieval Scandinavian wine was made of fruit
2015
Lysholm No 52
After 52 trials of the recipe, distiller Ivan Abrahamsen was satisfied
2015
Cantina Zaccagnini
In Norway, this is called the "Pinnevin" – the 'stick wine'
2015
Territoriet Winebar
An unpretentious wine bar with serious wines in the center of Oslo
2015
Løiten Aquavit
Founded in 1855 as a collaboration between regional farm distilleries
2015
Hellstrøm Gløgg
A traditional Scandinavian winter beverage of warm wine with an infusion of spices
2014
Karin+Sondre=Sant
When you find the other half - a wedding invitation
2014
Fiin Gammel Portviin
In 1923 a deal with Portugal ensured port wine to Norwegians in exchange for cod
2014
Hellstrøm Juleaquavit
Recovering pagan agricultural symbols for the spirit of Christmas
2013
Pietro di Campo
A range of wines inspired by Italian gestures
2013
Principiano
One of the first natural wines in Norway
2013
Bamsrudlåven Gårdsis
Mysen is famous for Jan Garbarek – and now ice cream
2013
Bodega La Serrana
A rural organic wine from Bierzo
2012
Cuvée S
Shakespeare, Sonia Delaunay and concrete poetry in a bottle
2012
Animasjonsdepartementet
Oslo-based production studio doing animations, films and installations
2012
Alberto Fenocchio
Creating a sense of place through local decorated ceramics
2012
Hellstrøm Aquavit
A Michelin starred Chef and his Aquavit - redefining a category language
2012
Villa Cafaggio
Pioneering the use of premium Italian papers to elevate wines in BIB