スワロフスキーの匠の技とクラフツマンシップ
Title:Elephant Fayolaの威厳
Subtitle:
Swarovski Crystal Society(SCS)コレクションが、アフリカのサバンナに果てしなく広がるこの平原へ再び向かいます。今年は、地球上で一番大きな動物、アフリカ象からインスピレーションをもらいました。気高い女性リーダーであるElephant Fayolaが、どういった過程でクリスタルでよみがえったのでしょう。
アフリカ・サバンナの守護者
Title:
アフリカ象ほど私たちに畏怖の念を抱かせる雄大な姿をした動物が他にいるでしょうか。体長は2m50cmから4mほど、重さは2トンから6トン以上にもなる堂々とした体を持つこの動物は、ライオンやチーターでさえも道を譲るほどの存在感を示します。
また、アフリカ象はキーストーン的な存在として、エコシステムにおける非常に重要なエンジニアの役割を果たしています。象の群れがアフリカの大地を歩き回る間に、種があちらこちらに蒔かれ、道が踏み固められた雑木林によって小動物は動きやすくなるのです。乾季には大きな牙と器用な鼻を使って川底を掘り起こし、幼木や木々を引き抜きます。これが彼らの群れだけでなく他の動物たちにとっても小さなオアシスとなり、地面が固まり過ぎることを防いで、草原に住む他の動物たちが住みやすいようにする役目をしているのです。
また、アフリカ象はキーストーン的な存在として、エコシステムにおける非常に重要なエンジニアの役割を果たしています。象の群れがアフリカの大地を歩き回る間に、種があちらこちらに蒔かれ、道が踏み固められた雑木林によって小動物は動きやすくなるのです。乾季には大きな牙と器用な鼻を使って川底を掘り起こし、幼木や木々を引き抜きます。これが彼らの群れだけでなく他の動物たちにとっても小さなオアシスとなり、地面が固まり過ぎることを防いで、草原に住む他の動物たちが住みやすいようにする役目をしているのです。
その大きなサイズに加え、アフリカ象はその人間のようなしぐさで私たちをびっくりさせてくれます。非常に社会性の高い動物で、一生を同じ家族単位で過ごすことも珍しくありません。子象たちは親からきちんと教えてもらうまで鼻を振り回したりしていますし、群れの誰かが死ぬとみんなでその死を悲しみ、その象が亡くなった場所へ戻ってその死を悼んだりするのです。
この素晴らしい生き物たちは母権制でもあります。群れはメスが多く、一番大きくて年齢がいった象がリーダーの役目を果たし、群れ内のメンバーにとっての祖母の立場にもなります。Elephant Fayolaは「栄誉と共に歩く」という意味で、常に家族を見守る偉大な象の母系リーダーをモデルにしています。
大きくて優しい象は、アフリカ平原の素晴らしい番人なのです。愛にあふれた親のように家庭を統べ、子供たちだけでなく土地にも他の動物にも健康的で豊かな環境を提供します。今年のアフリカSCS2022年度限定生産品のElephant Fayolaの優雅な姿なら、壮大な存在感を示す象たちがあなたの家を隅々まで照らしてくれることでしょう。
この素晴らしい生き物たちは母権制でもあります。群れはメスが多く、一番大きくて年齢がいった象がリーダーの役目を果たし、群れ内のメンバーにとっての祖母の立場にもなります。Elephant Fayolaは「栄誉と共に歩く」という意味で、常に家族を見守る偉大な象の母系リーダーをモデルにしています。
大きくて優しい象は、アフリカ平原の素晴らしい番人なのです。愛にあふれた親のように家庭を統べ、子供たちだけでなく土地にも他の動物にも健康的で豊かな環境を提供します。今年のアフリカSCS2022年度限定生産品のElephant Fayolaの優雅な姿なら、壮大な存在感を示す象たちがあなたの家を隅々まで照らしてくれることでしょう。
The masterful designer Martin Zendron took on the challenge of translating the African elephant’s mighty stature into fine Swarovski crystal. To accomplish this, he captured the essence of the elephant by calling to mind images of this mesmerizing giant ambling through yellow sawgrass, slowly making its way to a watering hole, unaffected by the obstacles ahead. He then realized it in a captivating new Greige colored crystal.
Watch the video to see Elephant Fayola’s creation
Step 1: Research and sketches
Zendron began his work by immersing himself in the world of the African elephant. He read extensively, watched documentaries, and listened to African music often using three computer screens; one for working and the other two for setting the perfect mood to understand Elephant Fayola. Ultimately, he gleaned the most inspiration from Tanzania and the Serengeti.
While designing Elephant Fayola, Zendron also kept in mind how the elephant would become part of a cohesive collection. He chose to depict the gentle giant mid-stride, symbolizing her continuous stroll across the African savanna, protecting both the landscape and her infants: “Elephants look out for each other, they protect their young and they always keep an eye on them,” he says. “Visually, it was important that the elephants looked like they were wandering.”
Step 2: Rough sculptural modeling
Using digital computer modeling, Zendron then worked on converting his sketches into a three-dimensional representation. He experimented with different leg, trunk, and tusk positions until he settled on a pose that perfectly captured the grand African elephant’s essence.
Step 3: Design model
Once a final design was chosen, Zendron worked with product developers to optimize the angles of the facets to ensure the masterpiece would capture the elephant’s majesty as well as Swarovski crystal’s beauty. When they were satisfied, Elephant Fayola boasted 822 facets and a resin replica was produced.
Step 4: Handmade prototype
Elegance of Africa SCS Annual Edition 2022 Elephant Fayola finally paraded into life as a hand-cut and polished prototype. Although the color Greige had never been used for such a large figurine, Zendron chose it because he felt it was the closest color to the elephant’s iconic skin. The exterior was further enhanced with Marron and Satin effects to enhance every angle of its silhouette and the spine was steamed to give the illusion of sand across the animal’s back, which it uses to protect itself from the sun.
Watch the video to see Elephant Fayola’s creation
Step 1: Research and sketches
Zendron began his work by immersing himself in the world of the African elephant. He read extensively, watched documentaries, and listened to African music often using three computer screens; one for working and the other two for setting the perfect mood to understand Elephant Fayola. Ultimately, he gleaned the most inspiration from Tanzania and the Serengeti.
While designing Elephant Fayola, Zendron also kept in mind how the elephant would become part of a cohesive collection. He chose to depict the gentle giant mid-stride, symbolizing her continuous stroll across the African savanna, protecting both the landscape and her infants: “Elephants look out for each other, they protect their young and they always keep an eye on them,” he says. “Visually, it was important that the elephants looked like they were wandering.”
Step 2: Rough sculptural modeling
Using digital computer modeling, Zendron then worked on converting his sketches into a three-dimensional representation. He experimented with different leg, trunk, and tusk positions until he settled on a pose that perfectly captured the grand African elephant’s essence.
Step 3: Design model
Once a final design was chosen, Zendron worked with product developers to optimize the angles of the facets to ensure the masterpiece would capture the elephant’s majesty as well as Swarovski crystal’s beauty. When they were satisfied, Elephant Fayola boasted 822 facets and a resin replica was produced.
Step 4: Handmade prototype
Elegance of Africa SCS Annual Edition 2022 Elephant Fayola finally paraded into life as a hand-cut and polished prototype. Although the color Greige had never been used for such a large figurine, Zendron chose it because he felt it was the closest color to the elephant’s iconic skin. The exterior was further enhanced with Marron and Satin effects to enhance every angle of its silhouette and the spine was steamed to give the illusion of sand across the animal’s back, which it uses to protect itself from the sun.
Step 5: Production of crystal parts
Once the crystal prototype was perfected, production began. This required precise tooling to individually cut each of the constituent parts of the great mammal. Meticulous care was taken to perfect the signature curve of the elephant’s back.
Step 6: Gluing and assembly
Each component was meticulously glued together by hand, and a final polish helped to bring Elephant Fayola to life.
Step 7: Quality control
Each crystal creation was thoroughly examined by a team of experts, who ensured that all colors looked as they should and that each facet was flawless and radiant. Once it passed this final scrutiny, Elephant Fayola was ready to embark on a new journey into our homes, bringing with her an air of majesty and warmth.
Once the crystal prototype was perfected, production began. This required precise tooling to individually cut each of the constituent parts of the great mammal. Meticulous care was taken to perfect the signature curve of the elephant’s back.
Step 6: Gluing and assembly
Each component was meticulously glued together by hand, and a final polish helped to bring Elephant Fayola to life.
Step 7: Quality control
Each crystal creation was thoroughly examined by a team of experts, who ensured that all colors looked as they should and that each facet was flawless and radiant. Once it passed this final scrutiny, Elephant Fayola was ready to embark on a new journey into our homes, bringing with her an air of majesty and warmth.