troika x swarovski crystal palace at design miami 2010

‘falling light’ installation by troika at design miami 2010

for the occasion of design miami 2010, swarvoski crystal palace presents the exhibition ‘falling light’ in collaboration with london-based art and design studio troika.

the multi-sensory installation consists of 50 ceiling-mounted illumination devices, powerful LEDs emanating from a delicate, mechanized ‘arm’ projecting light from all angles through an optically pure, custom-cut swarovski crystal lens. sight and sound converge within the space, demanding that viewers play the role of the participants, observing and absorbing the energy of the space.

up close view of the lenses

the lens – like a prism – refracts and transforms the white light of the LEDs, immersing visitors in a virtual shower of light ‘drops’. these drops appear as if encircled by hallows of rainbow colors, rhythmically radiating outwards upon hitting the gallery floor. a subtle humming of the space’s mechanisms work to provide a chorus in tune with the light’s ephemeral movements. encompassing the concepts of evanescence and fluidity characteristic of troika’s work, the surface harshness of technological elements fades, leaving a deceptively simple experience of the sublime.

depiction of the ‘drops’ movements

detail of the ‘drops’