The Swarovski Star, which shines from atop the most famous Christmas tree in the world, was placed on the tree this past 14 November 2018 in an elegant and exclusive celebration. At Rockefeller Center, Nadja Swarovski and Daniel Libeskind officially inaugurated this iconic symbol of Christmas which will remain there, in festive Manhattan, for the duration of the holiday season.
“When you look inside a crystal you perceive its surface, but also its depth. Then suddenly they invert themselves: the depth comes forward and the surface withdraws. I think this is what makes crystals so magical: their infinite dimension. A crystal isn’t a three-dimensional object. It’s an infinite object. Because your being traverses spaces that aren’t of this world…”, says Daniel Libeskind
Redesigned after fifteen years by architect Daniel Libeskind and inspired by starlight itself, both mysterious and magical, the new Swarovski Star is a splendid masterpiece, an example of micro-architecture immersed in the brilliance of crystal. “The star,” says Libeskind, “conveys a message of peace, solidarity in the world, happiness. It’s a universal symbol, something which every culture and religion can connect with… And crystals themselves are both magical and mysterious. They capture the imagination! What material is more perfect for transmitting the light and spirit of the season?”
Sparkling with 3 million crystals covering 70 triangular glass spikes – with crystals applied to the interior side of the glass – and LED lighting developed entirely by the brand, the new Swarovski star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is, in the words of Libeskind, “inspired by the beauty of starlight, something that radiates meaning and mystery in the world. The star is a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions of hope, unity, and peace. I’m extremely honoured to have collaborated with Swarovski on the star and with the entire design team to have brought innovation and cutting-edge design to the technology of the crystals.”
With a diameter of nine inches, the architectural lines cut through space, radiantly reflecting their original aesthetic quality and infused with Libeskind’s vision and own creative avant garde. An avant garde that has also been unveiled in the new Christmas ornaments developed from the architect’s vision for Atelier Swarovski, sparkling in an asymmetrical shape that reflects his unmistakeable signature style. “We wanted to capture the brightness and the energy of starlight within an object that everyone can own and make a part of their holiday tradition. The star is connected to many of the season’s iconic symbols…”.
Symbols that are present in the unusual shape imagined for the pop-up store that Swarovski inaugurates each year at Rockefeller Plaza during Christmas. As the architect explains, “we’ve created something that has a close relationship to the Swarovski Star, in particular to its architectural language. The shape evokes a star and celebrates the beauty, energy, and light of New York City.” Within the store is an exact replica of the Swarovski Star, every detail of which can be observed and admired. The star guides visitors in an experiential display of the brand’s jewellery and crystal ornaments.“ We are honoured to have worked with one of the most creative and talented individuals in the world, Daniel Libeskind, in his exciting new design for the Swarovski Star,” states Nadja Swarovski. “Every holiday season the star brings joy to New Yorkers and to visitors from around the world, and it will shine like a beacon of hope for many years to come.”
Manufactured in Austria and Rhode Island, and designed and built in two years, the star – illuminated by Swarovski’s innovative Active Panel technology, which provides exceptional brilliance and refraction of light – was positioned atop the tree during a ceremony on 14 November and will be turned on on 28 November during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
