If you are at a loss for what to do of a not-so-lazy weekend, why not head down to the new Design Museum exhibit, Digital Crystal. A magpie's treasure trove of all things shiny that simultaneously questions the nature of the physical ‘crystal’ and the ephemeral ‘digital’ world.
The resurrected chandeliers of Ron Arad’s 2006 Lolita and Fredrikson Stallard’s 2007 Pandora are beautiful works of design that play with the idea of transience: Pandora's crystals move from chaos into the recognisable shape of a chandelier, and back again, whereas Lolita - the hussy - displays texts sent by you, by running each message down her spiralled surface into oblivion. You could definitely have some fun with her number 07860 021492.
The resurrected chandeliers of Ron Arad’s 2006 Lolita and Fredrikson Stallard’s 2007 Pandora are beautiful works of design that play with the idea of transience: Pandora's crystals move from chaos into the recognisable shape of a chandelier, and back again, whereas Lolita - the hussy - displays texts sent by you, by running each message down her spiralled surface into oblivion. You could definitely have some fun with her number 07860 021492.
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| Fredrikson Stallard - Pandora |
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| Ron Arad - Lolita |
More recent designs play with the idea in rather different ways, still encapsulating something ephemeral and something fully crystallised.
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| Left: Paul Cocksedge - Crystallize Right: Troika - Hardcoded Memory |
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| Philippe Malouin - Blur |
Yves Behar's Amplify is particularly clever, made up from what looks like a collection of
large, glowing crystals. The effect is achieved through a low energy LED light refracted through a single crystal onto a large paper shade. Note to Behar/Design Museum, I want one of these, please bring into manufacture soon...
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| Yves Behar - Amplify |
All in all the exhibition is a feast for the eyes and a nice way to spend the afternoon. Yet the very relevant work of Hussein Chalayan's Readings collection is missing, as is the sense of quite how new and exciting a lot of the technology is.
I end this review with an
anecdote from my first job, which I hope will give a sense of the backstage
excitement and experimental nature of the finished product in the exhibition. Back in
2008 I serendipitously found myself working for Moritz Waldemeyer on the
electronics side of Chalayan’s Readings, for two weeks, soldering lasers till the early hours of the morning and
sleeping in the studio till the pieces were done.
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| 2 weeks in pictures, ending with nightmares of village of the damned children in haute couture |
It was a constant
experiment with sparks (literally) flying. Moritz had to think fast to come up
with creative solutions and realize Chalayan's Icarian ambition. Luckily
Chalayan’s wings (and dresses) didn’t catch fire, and a collection
materialised.
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| Chalayan - Readings |
The short film produced for Paris Fashion Week transports you into the world of digital crystal where the permanent garments/crystals and impermanent laser beams collide momentarily.
This concept is at the heart of the exhibition, whose theme
is weakened by some seemingly superfluous works - a crystal ring with the
Swarovski bear silhouette cut out of it and a rather Romantic film about
Wattens (Swarovski’s hometown). That said, it all makes for pleasant viewing and we should allow Swarovski a little self-indulgence in return for them fuelling all this innovation. It is certainly thought provoking and a real visual fairground.
You can also pop into the room next door and take a peek at the Design Museum's new designers in residence, or combine it with a picturesque riverside walk / meal / drink (weather permitting).
You can also pop into the room next door and take a peek at the Design Museum's new designers in residence, or combine it with a picturesque riverside walk / meal / drink (weather permitting).
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| The perfect place to ponder - opposite the design museum |
Digital Crystal will be open from the 5th September till the 13th January 2013
10am-5.45pm daily (last admission 5.15pm)
Admission £10 (£9 concessions, £6 Students, free for under 12s)
See Design Museum Website for more details and booking
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