Celestial unions: Chris Levine and Swarovski team up for ’Angel Presence’
![Large hall with purple light display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A6QL6jzDSmXkwMquaV6RKY-415-80.jpg)
Austrian crystal giant Swarovski is unstoppable when it comes to collaborations: from fashion to design, from architects to artists, the Wattens-based company has worked with some of the most exciting creatives out there, producing a wide variety of sculptural pieces and installations. Most recently, their crystals were used by a trio of young designers who explored different concepts on show at Design Miami/Basel, and for the London Design Festival they partnered with Norwegian designer Kim Thomé to produce a majestic totem still visible at the entrance of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
One more episode of their ever-expanding crystal network is the latest project with long-term collaborator Chris Levine, unveiled this week to coincide with Frieze Art Fair. Taking over the Danish Church at London’s Regents Park, Swarovski invited the British artist to engage with their crystals to create a site-specific, dynamic piece of work.
'Angel Presence' consists of an RGB 10W-scanning laser, shot through a cluster of Swarovski crystals whose precision-cut facets multiply and refract light in a pattern that is infinitely changing. With this piece, the artist continues his exploration into the nature of light and its effect on our sense of being, using laser, crystal optics and peripheral imaging to create a magical play of light and colour inside the church.
A pure union of light and sound, the installation is both an enchanting experience and a celebration of the material’s versatility and abilities. ‘'Angel Presence' take us powerfully into the Now,’ explain Levine, ‘creating a meditative state of heightened awareness. This will calm the mind – recalibrating and harmonising us with reality as it really is.’
INFORMATION
'Angel Presence' is on view until 17 October
ADDRESS
St Kathareine's Danish Church
4 St Katharine's Precinct
London, NW1 4HH
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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
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