Pearl diving is an historical profession in South Korea, stretching back generations, and the pearl diver sculpture in Seoul's Lotte World Tower pays tribute to the romantic trade in spectacular fashion. The sculpture, which was designed by Czech lighting studio Lasvit, features hundreds of hanging glass balls that cluster together near the center to form the shape of a pearl diver swimming above the heads of those walking through Lotte World Tower's atrium.
Though the balls that make up the sculpture look translucent or opaque, the glass itself is actually completely clear. The balls get their smoky appearance during the manufacturing process, when breath is blown into each bubble while the glassblowers work.
The symbolism of the sculpture is twofold. For one, the balls look like pearls. Secondly, while diving, air bubbles collect and stick to the skin of the "haenyeo," as the South Korean divers are known.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Hanging Glass Sculptures
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new uses for hanging glass sculptures in architectural and artistic designs.
- Transparent Glass Art
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing techniques to create transparent glass art that mimics the appearance of opaque materials.
- Symbolic Sculptures
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing symbolic sculptures that combine cultural references and artistic aesthetics.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating hanging glass sculptures in interior design and public art installations.
- Glassblowing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing glassblowing techniques to create unique and visually stunning glass artworks.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Promoting cultural heritage through artistic installations that pay tribute to historical trades and professions.
