The multi-part installation for Swarovski Crystal Palace, has been designed, explains Nicolas, to replicate ‘a space with no gravity’ where ‘crystal and light become life’.

The presentation consists of two parts.

1)  “Balloons”‘, appear as if  they are ‘non-objects’. free floating, transparent spheres with small floating crystal sculptures lit from within. They are particles of light and crystal, flying around space. The orbs – a series of 2.4m diameter, super-thin helium-filled balloons, produced using NASA technology – each contain a floating crystal sculpture, which emits LED light

Video interview with Gwenael Nicolas with thanks to Core77

2)  ‘Chain light’  , a 10 meter long string of crystals programmed to set off ‘sparks’ which leap across the room.

Via Tortona 32

French-born designer Gwenaël Nicolas relocated to Japan before establishing his own design company, Curiosity.JP back in 1998, from where he has created everything from perfume bottles with Issey Miyake to store concepts for Uniqlo and high-concept installations for Lexus. Nicolas is internationally renowned for his broad creative output, working across the spectrum in architectural environments, product design, interior spaces and packaging design.

1966 BORN IN FRANCE

1988 BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN INTERIOR DESIGN AT E.S.A.G, PARIS

1991 MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AT RCA, LONDON

1991 FREELANCE IN JAPAN

1998 ESTABLISHED CURIOSITY INC.

2004 MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN INTERIOR DESIGN AT E.S.A.G, PARIS