La maestría y la técnica artesanal de Swarovski
Title:La majestuosidad del elefante Fayola
Subtitle:
La colección de la Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) se basa una vez más en las amplias y extensas llanuras de la sabana africana. Este año nos hemos inspirado en el mamífero terrestre más grande: el elefante africano. Veamos cómo la magnífica matriarca, el elefante Fayola, cobró vida en el cristal.
Guardianes de la sabana africana
Title:
¿Hay algún animal que inspire más asombro y grandeza que el elefante africano? Con una altura de entre dos y cuatro metros y un peso de entre 2000 y 6000 kilos aproximadamente, este magnífico animal tiene una presencia imponente que hace que incluso los leones y los guepardos se aparten de su camino.
Como especie clave, los elefantes africanos son los ingenieros fundamentales de su ecosistema. Mientras las manadas recorren las tierras africanas, esparcen semillas y crean senderos para allanar el camino a los animales más pequeños, para que estos puedan moverse con mayor facilidad a través de la maleza. En la estación seca, utilizan sus grandes colmillos y sus hábiles trompas para cavar en los lechos de los ríos y arrancar arbustos y árboles. Esto crea un oasis en miniatura para su manada y otras especies y ayuda a airear el suelo para mantener el lugar abierto para otros animales de las llanuras.
Como especie clave, los elefantes africanos son los ingenieros fundamentales de su ecosistema. Mientras las manadas recorren las tierras africanas, esparcen semillas y crean senderos para allanar el camino a los animales más pequeños, para que estos puedan moverse con mayor facilidad a través de la maleza. En la estación seca, utilizan sus grandes colmillos y sus hábiles trompas para cavar en los lechos de los ríos y arrancar arbustos y árboles. Esto crea un oasis en miniatura para su manada y otras especies y ayuda a airear el suelo para mantener el lugar abierto para otros animales de las llanuras.
Además de su gran tamaño, los elefantes africanos impresionan por su comportamiento, similar al del humano. Son animales muy sociables y suelen permanecer en la misma unidad familiar durante toda su vida. Las crías mueven su trompa de manera salvaje hasta que sus padres les enseñan a usarla, y cuando un miembro de la manada muere, los demás se afligen y a menudo vuelven al lugar de la muerte del ser querido, como si quisieran mostrar sus condolencias.
Estas criaturas tan espectaculares son también matriarcales. Las manadas suelen estar formadas por muchas hembras, y el elefante más grande y viejo es el líder y la abuela sustituta de muchos miembros de la manada. El elefante Fayola, cuyo nombre significa «la que camina con honor», se creó a partir de una de estas grandes líderes matriarcas, siempre atenta a su familia.
Gigantes gentiles, estos elefantes son unos impresionantes cuidadores de las llanuras africanas. Dirigen su hogar como un padre cariñoso: asegurando un entorno saludable y próspero para sus descendientes, la tierra y los animales que los rodean. Con la pieza Edición anual 2022 Elegance of Africa SCS - Elefante Fayola de este año, esta misma presencia majestuosa irradiará toda tu casa.
Estas criaturas tan espectaculares son también matriarcales. Las manadas suelen estar formadas por muchas hembras, y el elefante más grande y viejo es el líder y la abuela sustituta de muchos miembros de la manada. El elefante Fayola, cuyo nombre significa «la que camina con honor», se creó a partir de una de estas grandes líderes matriarcas, siempre atenta a su familia.
Gigantes gentiles, estos elefantes son unos impresionantes cuidadores de las llanuras africanas. Dirigen su hogar como un padre cariñoso: asegurando un entorno saludable y próspero para sus descendientes, la tierra y los animales que los rodean. Con la pieza Edición anual 2022 Elegance of Africa SCS - Elefante Fayola de este año, esta misma presencia majestuosa irradiará toda tu casa.
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.