The Timeless Dance of Light and Glass: A Cultural Perspective on Lasvit’s Felix Stella
Lasvit’s remarkable and unique work titled “Felix Stella” is a truly resplendent work of light beyond the normal limits of mere light design, raised to the level of being a work of art worthy of recognition in its own merit. It is like a celestial body floating ethereally in the vastness of the cosmos, inspiring the awe-inspiring and breathtaking view accompanying the birth of a new star from the whirling clouds of cosmic dust. Strategically planted at the center of the InterContinental Hotel in Tianjin, the brilliant piece is as much a resplendent spectacle for all who lay their eyes upon it as it is a testament of great power to the limitless creativeness inherent in the human spirit. Having a history of centuries of tradition in the rich heritage and storied craftsmanship of the nation in the art of the glasswork, the Czech tradition is here given new expression in the marvelous piece of fantasy, which deeply inspires the imagination as much as it provokes the creativeness.
Felix Stella is a stunning work of 750 intricately crafted parts using the breathtaking beauty of Czech glass. Each of these intricately crafted parts cleverly houses an internal LED module in its structure, facilitating the stunning interaction of light. Aesthetic experience through this stunning work is absolutely spellbinding, captivating the attention and admiration of all who lay their eyes upon it. Seen close-up, the parts of the work individually resemble floating cosmic trash, daintily floating as if gently grasped in a stunningly intricate net of glinting light. Yet, seen from inside the hotel, the experience of the work is dramatically different; it becomes a breathtaking spectacle of colorfully vibrant energy. It emits a dynamic lightening effect, aesthetically simulating the whimsical movements of the night dancing fireflies. For the people who see it from the exterior of the hotel, its appearance changes again, bringing with it the aura of a celestial body, the appearance of a navigational star whose beauty accentuates the scenic view of the city’s skyline.
Throughout the history of humanity, light has been a perpetual metaphor for divinity, intelligence, and inspiration. Ancient mythology and legend demonstrate how phenomena in the skies have been seen as the harbingers divinely commissioned with the spiritual role of leading the erring through the limitless expanses of the seemingly endless beyond. In the rich history, Felix Stella skillfully engages with this shared discourse of light, presenting the visitor with the chance to connect with the much larger self beyond. It is more than superficial; the work speaks and speaks from the core of the human experience. It is evocative of the Bohemian tradition of artistic virtuosity, where the use of glass as the artistic tool of expression is seen as more than the tool but as the forceful vector through which the story is communicated and the emotional depth is accessed.
The intricate, dynamic choreography of light and shade as the piece unfolds is a compelling experience, changing with each new angle and transitory instant from which it is seen. Measuring a staggering 20 meters long and rising dramatically 27 meters tall, the stunning piece confidently takes the formerly blank atrium space and transmutes it into a kaleidoscopic world, honoring in every detail the birthplace from which it came. The sheer scale of the area is tastefully housed within the architecture of the structure, standing as testament before all who pass through the doors that the world’s beauty is more than the celestial realm above, but found in the talents and craftsmanship the efforts of humans have created.
This installation is more than the simple functionality of supplying light to a given area; it is about much more. It speaks deeply to the soul, softly urging us all to recall that with the chaos and chaos which surrounds us, as much as the frenetic energy with which people live their lives, there is a persistent beauty which is omnipresent. This piece is a great reminder of the awe and the wonder which have motivated artistic pursuits as well as the pursuit of knowledge through countless ages. In a world which is prone to disregard the simple but significant act of bringing the gaze upwards and noticing the world about them, Felix Stella is gently asking all people everywhere to stop for just a second, breathe deeply, and lose themselves in the ageless, captivating ballet of light upon air which surrounds them.
Glass, in its very being, is a captivating paradox; a delicate thing but strong in essence, transparent to the eye but wonderfully skilled at retaining and manipulating light through its crystalline structure. The great Czech artisans of the glassmaker’s craft, like the ancient chemists who sought to turn base materials into gold, have long been blessed with a keen awareness of this captivating duality. They have perfected the process of transmuting melted sand, a seemingly mundane material, into beautiful works of stunning beauty that capture the light as much as refract it in ways that underscore and delight in the essence of light itself. Of these great artisans, Felix Stella is the standout as the brilliant embodiment of this ancient mastery, with the delicate intricateness associated with the hand-crafted work of the past as much as the limitless possibilities afforded through the innovations of the new age’s breakthroughs in the art of the glassmaker. As the gentle night falls softly upon the surroundings, draping all in its soothing grasp, the work is starting to reveal its magical spectacle, rich with captivating and entrancing lights. These lights summon the beautiful and whimsical movement of the beautiful lanterns that lit the cobblestone streets of ancient European towns and cities long ago when light alone served as the guide through the all-encompassing night. This beautiful spectacle evokes the vision of the beautiful glinting mosaics in the great halls of great Byzantine churches, in which dainty glass and brilliant light joined in harmony in a secret but beautiful collaboration, inspiring the human spirit upwards toward the divine and the trans mundane realms. In the midst even of the dynamic hustle and bustle of city life in Tianjin, this stunning work has the great power of evoking the precious instant of pause and reflection. It is a beautiful but necessary reminder to all who have the privilege of viewing it of the abiding and ageless relationship present between the light-giving power of light and the natural hopes and aspirations present at the core of the human being.
The name Felix Stella itself holds a significant power and portability. “Felix,” the ancient Latin word from which the name is derived, represents not only fortune but also pleasure and delight, whereas “Stella” speaks eloquently of the stars, the far-off and glinting embers whose light has navigated seafaring vessels through dangerous seas, motivated visionaries through the ages, and illuminated seekers through their quests through the ages. Put together, these two create a name which is not only beautiful in its sound but also meaningful in its significance; a becoming a star of fortune, a portent of brilliance whose presence is a guarantee of things going well from here. It is no mere happenstance, at any rate, that this body celestial, representing hope as well as guidance, is poised majestically in the atrium of a hotel, which is in turn a vibrant hub of arrivals as well as departures, filled with transitory events as well as abiding impressions which sear their presence in our minds.
Architecture has been striving long since to capture and exploit the inherent power of light, starting with the oculus of the Pantheon. This magnificent opening lets the radiant Roman sun pass through its sacred and hallowed internal areas, sending illuminating rays that add beauty to the religious experience inside. Also, the intricately crafted stained-glass panes of Gothic churches work to create vivid sacred stories through color and light, communicating the deepest religious tales to the devout. Today, Felix Stella continues this illustrious tradition of controlling light but with a new twist representing the sensitivities of the times. In this new method, light is no longer just a tool; it is a dynamic and active storyteller. It transforms and changes according to the surroundings, continuously avoiding stagnation through the adoption of movement’s fluidity as well as color.
To stand before the awe-inspiring beauty of Felix Stella is to be completely captivated by its sheer scale, beauty which softly permeates the unconsciousness, awakening the deepest poetic inspirations as well as the primal instincts. It is more than just aesthetic; it is a path which leads the eye beyond the limits of vision, into the complex world of emotions as much as the endless world of precious memories. It is the invocation of the golden child’s awe at catching the delicate light of the firefly in cupped palms, their ethereal light dancing with the preciousness of innocence’s fleeting existence. It is the awe at the first vision of the comet as it majestically sweeps across the limitless horizon of the midnight night, leaving a wake of wonder. It is the whispered tales of the stars imparting wishes upon the courageous who dare dream beyond the limits of the mundane. Felix Stella is more than just an installation; it is a deeply evocative story that is cleverly crafted with the otherworldly materials of light and glass. It is a silent storyteller, conveying its emotions and thoughts to anyone who is willing and receptive enough to listen closely and interact with the piece. In addition, the work is also a monument to the past, but also standing tall as a guide light upon the path toward the horizon. This inspiring work reminds each of us that even in the most surprising and surprising locations, beauty can have the amazing power to spread its wings and soar, as well as light will inevitably find the power to break through, regardless of the situations.
Brand: LASVIT
Designers: Jana Růžičková, Katarína Kudějová Fulínová
