Press Centre
October 2008
Swarovski Crystal Palace: Design Miami 2008
Swarovski Crystal Palace, main sponsor of Design Miami/ 2008, unveils Liquid Space by Ross Lovegrove
As main sponsor of Design Miami/ 2008, Swarovski Crystal Palace unveiled a show-stopping installation of Liquid Space by Ross Lovegrove at Design Miami.
Ross Lovegrove has designed a table and chandelier installation entitled Liquid Space. The concept is centred symmetrically around the interplay of materials and light and the synergies associated with pure materials and their refractive, reflective optical beauty.
It is a dining art space whereby each and every single element works together as a single entity, in harmony and in pure material expression.
As an installation piece the chandelier appears to have melted through the ceiling, viscously inverted to deliver three-dimensional light above and below the tables. The impact of the polished aluminium surface is to reflect the total concentrated mass of the Swarovski crystals and capture the liquidity of light interplay.
LIQUID SPACE CHANDELIER
Swarovski crystals are suspended in the shape of a vortex, and are embedded with an LED lighting system that can change colour in an instance via remote control. The entire vertical piece is also automated so that it can lift up and liberate the space above the tables. However in its fully extended position it is suspended below the table surface thus illuminating the sub forms of the tables and the floor below. The chandelier shown is part of a limited edition series and is available upon commission from Swarovski Crystal Palace, whereby the height can be adjusted in manufacture to accommodate different ceiling heights.
BIOFORM QUARTER TABLES
The Bioform Quarter tables are an extension of Ross Lovegrove’s design art works, milled directly from solid blocks of aluminium by a UK-based bespoke car maker. They are polished to the highest mirror finish and represent a super liquid approach to minimalist organic forms. As quarter tables they can be grouped in a circle to form an 8 to 12-seater dining table but also they can be detached and dispersed into the corners of a room as four individual tables, creating an open centre space for informal entertaining. Alternatively they can form two half circles against walls to open the space as large consol tables.
The Tables are available in an edition of 8 plus two prototypes and 2 artists’ proofs. The tables on display are the second generation prototypes.
In addition to the new work that will be shown in the Design Miami pavilion, Swarovski Crystal Palace will be exhibiting multiple Blossom chandeliers and Cavern benches in the curatorial Design Miami programme which explores the theme of the Natural World.
Swarovski, the world’s most prestigious manufacturer of precision cut crystal, is dedicated to its work with contemporary designers. Swarovski Crystal Palace is a revolutionary project that has aimed to create signature interpretations of light and design using the emotive medium of cut crystal. Whilst celebrating and reinterpreting the rich traditions of the chandelier, Swarovski Crystal Palace has broken barriers, played with the rules and opened a new chapter in the history of lighting, art and design.
Now in its seventh year, Swarovski Crystal Palace has worked with some of the world’s foremost and collectable designers including Zaha Hadid, Yvés Behar, Studio Job, Tom Dixon, Ron Arad, Tokujin Yoshioka and Fernando and Humberto Campana. Design Miami has established itself as the preeminent international fair for limited-edition design and the partnership with Swarovski has developed from a natural synergy in the support and promotion of groundbreaking new design.
“Swarovski Crystal Palace is proud to be associated with Design Miami as we believe strongly in supporting contemporary design and art. I have been honoured to have worked with some incredible artists who have created pieces for Swarovski Crystal Palace that blur the boundaries between art and function. Design Miami is an important showcase for the wealth of talent that exists today.” Nadja Swarovski
