Miami Art Week, recently held from 2 to 7 December, grew out of the winter edition of Art Basel, the iconic international art fair held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Es Devlin’s Library of Us was one of the most striking installations of Miami Art Week, transforming the beachfront at the Faena Beach Hotel into a place for quiet reflection. The 20-foot-tall rotating structure holds 2,500 books and slowly turns by day in the Florida sun, offering a calm contrast to the energy of Art Basel. At night, it glows like a beacon, celebrating the enduring power of books and ideas.

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During Art Basel Miami, one of the most thoughtfully curated dining experiences was Perrier-Jouët’s annual Banquet of Nature. Set at Faena’s outdoor venue between Faena Beach and Damien Hirst’s iconic Mammoth Garden, the event seamlessly blended art, nature, and cuisine.

This year, the French Champagne house partnered with artist and designer Marcin Rusak to present Plant Pulses, an immersive art installation unveiled at Faena Beach as part of Faena Art. Drawing on scientific research from AGH University of Kraków, the project transforms plant communication into a captivating visual and sound experience that brings nature’s hidden signals to life.

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Plant Pulses is part of Maison Perrier-Jouët’s wider objective to work toward concrete environmental solutions that help create the conditions for a better future for all. As part of the brand’s artistic collaborations, The Banquet of Nature shares the essence of Plant Pulses and the importance of biodiversity in Champagne—at the table and around the world.

The 50-seat dining table was styled with sculptural pieces from the artist’s Nature of Things installation series, crafted from natural, biodegradable materials such as waste flowers, shellac, and beeswax. Instead of traditional fresh florals destined to be discarded, the table design embraced a thoughtful, sustainable approach to decoration.

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The dinner featured additional designed elements that invited guests to rethink consumerism and the waste of natural resources. From dining utensils to water carafes, each detail creatively challenged conventional ideas about everyday consumption.

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While the avant-garde dinner party was thought-provoking, the true highlight of the evening was the multi-course tasting menu prepared by three-Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, paired with Champagnes from Perrier-Jouët. The renowned French culinary artist artfully prepared dishes that continued the sustainability theme through mindful consumption.

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A standout pairing featured Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Blanc de Blancs 2017 with a lobster and scallop fricassee. This seafood version of the classic French stew was spiced with curry, with crabmeat infused with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, and served alongside pearl onions, turnips, and marigold flowers.

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Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Champagnes, known for their iconic floral hand-painted bottles, are produced only in years deemed exceptional by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps, making Belle Époque a truly rare and exquisite cuvée.

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The finale dessert—a vegan Battenberg—was topped with lemon marzipan icing, which kept the sponge cake moist and added sweetness. It was served alongside vegan chocolate mousse and Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Rosé 2013.

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The complex, elegant, salmon-pink Rosé Champagne offered aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and floral notes, delivering bright acidity, a creamy texture, and a long, satisfying finish.

It was a perfect ending to a special night, which concluded with a parting gift from Chef Pierre Gagnaire, his book A Banquet of Nature, an illustrated collaboration of culinary art and ideas created with fellow creatives.