Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders x Baccarat: First Look at United Crystal Woods Collection

by Priscilla on February 13, 2010

Marcel Wanders; Foto: Phillipe Lacombe

Upon waking up from a dream Marcel Wanders found himself in a forest of empty glasses. This forest gave way to others, stranger yet, illuminated by multiple suns and some so quiet they seemed to awaken only at night. As a result of this vision, United Crystal Woods was born. “I welcomed that new day, waking up in that autumn forest of emptied crystal trees, showing their naked skeletons, surrounding me, towering over me, filling up my short view with endless crystal sparkles,” he said.

Cut and engraved crystal vase, candlesticks, and votive holders; Foto: Phillipe Lacombe

Marcel Wander’s new Baccarat collection includes glasses, candlesticks and vases grown from solid brass, hand-cut crystal and stainless steel. Aware of the additional colors created by the prismatic crystals, he employed a limited color palette of red, gold and silver. His crystal stoppers, wine glasses and flutes all include his favorite seal—a face with a clown’s nose.

Blown crystal decanter with red crystal stopper; Foto: Phillipe Lacombe

The pieces are stunning in their elegance and poetic spirit, but it is the humor in their design and presentation that are emblematic of Wanders’ original vision.

Marcel Wanders, December 2009

United Crystal Woods previewed at the Museum of Arts and Design with the addition of little toy soldiers and other tiny plastic figures in diverse groupings that suggested the various combinations the pieces can form.

The Soldiers; Foto: Priscilla Vázquez

Risqué miniatures sun-bathed next to hand-cut votive holders, while others sped on mopeds and bikes through a forest of crystal vases. Their diminutive size heightened the dimensions of the collection and evoked the grandeur of the woods.

The Bathers; Foto: Priscilla Vázquez

The Bikers; Foto: Priscilla Vázquez

A blown crystal decanter full of clear water was made gigantic as minute fire fighters gathered around a hose next to it. Other scenes through the forest included nuns, police officers, scientists, soccer players, a marching band, and a single male figure holding a life-size balloon next to a singular votive holder. Green water inside oversized vases extended the metaphor of the forest as they held large branches with flowers.

United Crystal Woods is scheduled to arrive in stores this spring, miniatures not included. For more information on the history of Baccarat crystal, as well as other collections visit Baccarat online at Baccarat.com.

More Gotryke design:
Marcel Wander x Target

Marcel Wanders Collection for Baccarat (design-milk.com)
marcel wanders for baccarat (designboom.com)

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Marcel Wanders on Target

by Tamara on November 6, 2009

in CULTURE, DESIGN, fashion

Dutch Designer Marcel Wanders rose to international prominence with the introduction of the Knotted Chair in 1996, which he created for Droog Design. He has gone on to carve out a definitive reputation in design and interior among the name-brand designers of the era. His corporate collaborations are numerous, and include BeB Italia, Puma, Swarovski, Bisazza, Poliform, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Flos, Boffi, and Cappellini. It makes sense that Target joins that list, in time for holiday wares, with an extensive list products to keep people moving, or at least add a little pizazz to the ride along the way.