LASVIT - CRYSTAL DRAGONS ǀ IMPERIAL PALACE SAIPAN

Two dragons fighting over a flaming pearl are a symbol deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. LASVIT materialized this symbol in the form of a jewel piece, which aims to be listed in the Guinness World Records and now decorates the lobby of the Imperial Palace Saipan. Spanning over 60 meters and weighing 40 tons, a crystal gem-studded sculpture featuring two flying dragons is the largest installation LASVIT has ever made. There are 2,5 million Swarovski crystals covering the scales on the dragon’s body. Each is furthermore illuminated and can change color, so the dragon can change from green to red almost instantly. The project connected two traditional types of crafts – glassmaking and metalworking. “In this project, we approached the limits of what is both technically and physically possible. Master glassmakers and metalsmiths brought the know-how of hundreds of years of craft tradition while their work was backed by a high-tech design process throughout,” explains Leon Jakimič, LASVIT’s Fo