Tokujin: Wings of Sparkle

The inspiration behind Tokujin Yoshioka's new Wings of Sparkle project for Swarovski was the image of a swan on a lake spreading its wings gracefully — much like the Austrian brand's logotype. To be presented at Baselword — the World Watch and Jewellery Show, at the end of April 2013, this wall of 23,000 hexagon metal reflectors with 250,000 60mm skillfully positioned LEDs will mark the entrance to Swarovski's space.
  "I wanted to create the space from the luminance itself," states Yoshioka, who has collaborated frequently with the brand in past years. "My intention was to express the space by the dazzle of light, and not by forms. Visitors will enter the world of Swarovski by being veiled with the light of luminance."

The Japanese architect's latest project for Swarovski — preceded by, among others, three chandeliers designed for the brand's Crystal Palace series in 2005, 2008, and 2010 — was inititated in November 2011, and derives from an extensive study of natural light, luminance, light reflection and casual sparkle. In Wings of Sparkle, Yoshioka explains, "the images shines and creates dazzling light effects — generated by a computer program — much like the sunlight when dances on the water. The façade expresses Swarovski's 'world of luminance' by drawing a great curvature, and creating a dynamic light space. The sparkle wall will emits a strong and elegant glow."

25 April — 2 May 2013 Tokujin Yoshioka: Wings of Sparkle
Baselworld 2013 Basel