SMOOTH SAILING
Architect Greg Lynn Partners with Swarovski Crystal Palace to Unveil a High-Tech Art Installation
Swarovski Crystal Palace’s Design Miami 2009 installation included a show-stopping hi-tech piece by architect Greg Lynn. The imposing structure extends over 80 square meters and is comprised of Swarovski-embellished “sails” that are suspended from the ceiling, with the massive pieces billowing and intersecting to create a breathtaking experience.
The installation uses
cutting edge technology from the sailing and ship-building industry in which
carbon and aramid fibers are compressed between transparent sheets of Mylar to
make astonishingly strong, lightweight and transparent sails that are less than
1mm thick. “The sails are made to cope
with massive loads from the wind,” Lynn comments. “It’s like hanging 3 SUVs off
a paper thin sheet.” Lynn has taken this technology to create his sculptural
composition, incorporating thousands of Swarovski crystals.
“Swarovski Crystal Palace is proud to be associated with Design Miami as we believe strongly in supporting contemporary design and art. I have been honored 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,” says Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Executive Board.
