Arik Levy X Lalique Art: RockStone 40
In collaboration with Lalique Art, Arik Levy launches the second chapter of his 'Rockstone 40' collection - crystal reinterpretations based on his original 'Rock' sculptures.
Arik Levy collaborated with Lalique to create the original Rockstone 40 collection; works that reinterpret Levy's iconic 'Rock' sculpture, this time, on a smaller scale and in beautiful Lalique crystal. The new series of the Rockstone 40 collection, the second chapter 'Aurora Borealis', takes its colour inspiration from the aurora borealis, sometimes referred to as the 'Northern Lights'- a result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar winds. These enchanting natural light displays, along with the mystic and spiritual power attributed to crystal influence the latest collection, reference to the powerful natural world and its extraordinary effects.
Photography: Kleinefenn © Arik Levy Studio et Lalique
Having seen the aurora borealis from the north of Finland, Levy names the new Rockstone 40 colours after the personal moments and feelings experienced. 'Dark Gray, Night of the West' - a reference to the endless dark matter at night, 'Sky Green of the North' - under the aurora with its dominating green and blue lights, 'Aurora Mauve, Iridescence of the South' - the place where the aurora loses its physical presence and fades into an intangible space, and 'Lime, Sunrise of the East' - the unique hues created when the aurora borealis rise into the stratosphere.
Photography: Kleinefenn © Arik Levy Studio et Lalique
As new contemporary designs come to fruition, the factory's traditional techniques are continually adapted to meet new challenging demands. This constant evolution of skill and technique keeps the brand fresh, challenges expectations, and reaffirms Lalique's position as one of the most highly sort after, luxury crystalware brands in the world. The production of the RockStone design required the development of a steel mould to replicate and produce Levy's vision. The crystal was then hot-pressed in the mould with multiple facets, to create an imprint of the original model. The biggest challenge the artisans faced was working with a piece that would eventually weigh 15 kilograms, requiring the team to scoop and transfer of over 35 kilograms of molten crystal from the pot furnaces for every object. After the pouring and cooling, every piece undergoes a process of annealing that takes at least a hundred hours to complete, which avoids inducing stresses within the crystal. After this, the RockStone creation is ready to be released from its steel sheath.
