michela vianello and karim rashid: fluxus a fabric of glass

fluxus – the wavering glass light sculpture

the fluxus, is a result of a collaboration between artist michela vianello and designer karim rashid. a wavering, suspended murano glass sculpture, vianello developed the overall shape and concept of the piece, while rashid designed the individual glass element, the knit, in which the sculpture is constructed.

fluxus is a fabric made from 80 000 hand-made knit glass elements which cover recurring overtones of white to black passing through three nuances of grey to transmit constant visual vibrations. the color moves continuously within its optical space between the sculpture and the observer, capturing an ever-changing three-dimensional effect. it is constructed from mirrored laser cut metal tracks in which the knit elements are anchored, attached individually by means of a technical device created for andromeda. the overall installation covers a surface area of 60 square meters – about 6000 kg of glass steel and technology and it is lit by 5 000 punctiform halogen lamps distributed across the internal surface of the wave.

fluxus has been created for lifestyle store, white gallery and is set to open in rome today and is a concept developed by andromeda international.

‘the starting point for the sculpture is a structure I conceived from the beginning as a balance of forces united to form a movement I would describe as fluctuating, soft and enveloping, flowing between well defined points and lines to create a texture which traces out paths of signs and colours to achieve complete visual equilibrium.‘ – MV

alternate view

‘knit for andromeda is a system I designed of hand-made murano glass loops that can be woven together from a few to thousands to create endless configurations of delicate ornate glass chandeliers and lighting. our living spaces and objects should ideally be organic, transformable, flexible and allow objects and furniture to breathe – to shape the personality of the space, and knit is the fabric of light itself, to forever keep space dynamic, luxurious, and inspiring.‘ – KR