Head of the Giant

The 17-metre high “Head of the Giant” guards the entrance to the subterranean Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

The venture of devoting subterranean wonder chambers to the magic theme “crystals” led to the creation of – as the German FAZ put it – a “place of pilgrimage for amazement “. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of their company, the Swarovski family presented their friends and staff members from all parts of the world with the Swarovski Crystal Worlds designed by André Heller and his team. The outcome can be experienced as manneristic garden hill including a maze and waterworks on the outside, and in the form of a nested arrangement of spaces covering three floors and a total of 2,000 square meters, on the inside. It was André Heller’s intention to create a kind of accessible kaleidoscope and to set the trend for a theater of the future. From Brian Eno’s unique meditation grotto to the psychedelic experience of the crystal dome, from Susanne Schmögner’s bizarre gathering of genies and sparkling spirits to the breathing crystal calligraphy of Paul Seide. Pictures by Andy Warhols, sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle, Keith Haring, and Salvador Dalí, photos by Giselle Freund and Edward Steichens. Videofantasies by Studio Azzurro and others. The Crystal Worlds are a feast for the senses.

“Just as fascinating as one of the seven wonders of the world” – ELSA KLENSCH, STYLE, CNN