Swarovski Digital Crystal launches at Beijing Design Week

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Hi Huneybees,


Swarovski unveiled its inaugural collaboration with a select group of established and emerging designers in Asia. Five specially commissioned pieces by a new generation of Chinese artists and designers, namely Liu Feng, Naihan Li, Shi Jianmin, Song Tao and architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, are showcased for the first time at the Swarovski Digital Crystal Exhibition during Beijing Design Week.


Swarovski challenged some of the most exciting design talents in China to contribute to a series of major commissions exploring the concept of memory in the fast-developing digital age. The new commissions premiered today at Beijing Design Week alongside art pieces from Western designers such as Arik Levy, Maarten Baas, rAndom International, Yves Béhar and Ron Arad, which were shown at the landmark exhibition Digital Crystal: Swarovski at the Design Museum, London in September 2012.

“It is a true honour to collaborate with some of the most brilliant talents in the Chinese design community. It’s inspiring to see how these creative visionaries reflect their perspectives and demonstrate both innovation and tradition in their extraordinary works. Beijing Design Week plays a crucial role in fostering Chinese design and creativity, and it’s the ideal platform for Swarovski to work with Eastern talents to bring a new perspective to Swarovski Digital Crystal and push the boundaries of how crystal can be used in art, architecture and design.  
Swarovski is dedicated to developing talent and we believe the Asian design community has the inspiration, cutting edge design and innovative ideas that will become the driving trends for the future.We look forward to building long-lasting relationships with these talented individuals." --- Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board



Liu Feng, Naihan Li, Ma Yansong, Shi Jianmin and Song Tao join Swarovski’s stellar alumni from the worlds of design, art and architecture to collaborate, experiment, develop and share their most radical ideas using crystal as a creative ingredient. Swarovski Digital Crystal explores the concept of memory in the digital age, and offers fifteen unique perspectives into what it means to live in a time where memory and the personal possessions we once held on to are now virtual or gone in an instant.

The interior of the exhibition and its mesmerizing external façade were designed by the celebrated Beijing-based architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects. He was inspired by facets of a crystal to create a journey of choreographed space, entitled ‘ Moon Landscape’ for Swarovski Digital Crystal.

“The overall environment is reflective and black, creating an environment that allows the audience to focus more on the art pieces. When the audience finishes viewing and experiencing the art pieces, they will think about the exhibition space and may perceive the design of the space in an entirely new way.” --- Ma Yansong.

The Swarovski Digital Crystal Exhibition is a testament to Swarovski’s commitment to engaging established designers and building relationships with a talented new generation of emerging artists. Swarovski is currently showcasing ‘God is in the Details’ at London Design Festival and earlier this year, it launched John Pawson’s ‘Perspectives’ artwork at the Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore during the Venice Biennale.



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