World-renowned Architect Zaha Hadid joins forces with Lalique, the high-end French crystal maker to produce a series of stunning crystal vases, the Crystal Architecture collection.
As expected when a world-class architect designs a crystal vase, it is not just a container to hold flowers. Combining architecture with the beauty of crystal and Lalique’s impeccable craftsmanship, Zaha Hadid created a collection that explores the fluidity of form through striking transparencies and fabulous cruves.
Zaha Hadid is an architect famous for fragmented geometry. She is also well-known for her de-constructive approach to architecture that incorporates natural forms in her designs. Awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, some of her recent work includes London Aquatics Center for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the Guangzhou Opera House. On the other hand Lalique is famous for capturing Nature’s most effervescent and fleeting forms in stunning crystal. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that these beautiful vases feature gentle curves that evoke the limitless fluidity of running water and sweeping currents of air, rendered immobile in a sleek hourglass of Lalique crystal.
While Hadid’s work is a contemporary contemplation of nature deconstructed, Lalique boasts a 130-year history of capturing nature in all its fluidities, the female form, flowers, and wildlife. Zaha Hadid explains that in designing those vases she followed the example of René Lalique, a fervent admirer of the natural world:
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We often observe nature in order to create an architectural work. The elegance, cohesion and beauty of the natural world are a genuine source of inspiration to us. – Zaha Hadid
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The collection is composed of two vases: Manifesto, a short vase with fluid lines and Visio, which looks like a crystal tower.
MANIFESTO
The Manifesto Vase by Zaha Hadid displays innate, fluid lines which seem to have a life of their own. It reflects the language of experimentation and research into fluidity and transparency through the crystal medium. Superbly displayed in crystal, the vase is enhanced by contrasting satin and polished finishes, characteristic of Lalique. It is a numbered edition piece available in either clear crystal “A majestic sculpture of light” or in black, “Which lends mysterious depth to this work of contemporary art”.
VISIO
Like a crystal tower, the Visio Vase by Zaha Hadid exemplifies Hadid’s trademark deconstructivist approach to fluid lines, which lend an impression of lightness to her creations. Visio’s lines ascend heavenward in almost infinite movement. The satin-finished and polished crystal, both emblematic of Lalique, perfectly complement the style and aesthetics of this piece. It is also a numbered edition piece available either in transparent glass “Illuminated by the brilliance of the clear crystal” or in a dark version “Sublimated by the deep mystery of black” this vase is certainly a tour de force.
According to Lalique Chairman and CEO Silvio Denz this collaboration of the iconic French crystal house with a contemporary famous architect is a milestone for the brand. In his words “Opening Lalique’s impeccable crystal glasswork to new artists allows our exceptional know-how to be interpreted with new eyes and with a fresh creative inspiration”.
