Metamorphoses in Crystal
Crystalline bits & bytes as raw material! The Ars Electronica Futurelab has conjured up fascinating transformations of real objects into fabulous crystal works of art for the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, the “place of wonder” recently redesigned by André Heller.
Linz (December 4, 2003) The Swarovski Crystal Worlds abound with the stuff that dreams are made of—fantastic visions orchestrated by André Heller, who, in conjunction with this wonderland’s recent makeover, invited artists from all over the world to design the Crystal Worlds’ individual chambers. The Linz art scene was represented by Ars Electronica Futurelab staff members who collaborated with Alexander Lexa of Webvertizer in Vienna to design a room in which visitors watch in amazement as ingenious computer animation simulates the transformation of real objects into works of crystal art. For instance, one such sequence shows a water lily slowly morphing from its natural form into a breathtaking object of glass. The raw material of this process: crystalline bits & bytes!
“The idea of simulating crystal glass on the computer confronted us with a real challenge. It was quite a job getting the reflections and special effects just right, but we’re thoroughly satisfied with the outcome,” was the enthusiastic reaction of Ars Electronica Futurelab Director Horst Hörtner.
The Ars Electronica Futurelab produced a total of three of these lavish animated works. Each one is displayed on several big-screen plasma monitors in one of the newly designed “chambers of wonders” inside the world-famous Swarovski Giant, where they create an extraordinary ambience and provide visitors with a totally unique experience. The works will premier on December 5th in Wattens in the Austrian Province of Tyrol.
With inquiries, contact:
Wolfgang A. Bednarzek
Pressesprecher / Press Officer
AEC Ars Electronica Center Linz
Hauptstraße 2, 4040 Linz, Austria
Tel ++43.732.7272-38
Fax ++43.732.7272-638
wolfgang.bednarzek@aec.at
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