# Hanging Glass Pearl Divers Lasvit Built a Dangling Pearl Diver Sculpture Out of Glass Balls By Joey Haar | Published 2017-08-02 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pearl-diver-sculpture References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/08/02/diver-lasvit-lotte-world-tower-glass-lighting-sculpture-seoul-korea/) & [lasvit](http://lasvit.com/bespoke-projects/contemporary/lotte-world-tower--355?i=0) Pearl diving is an historical profession in South Korea, stretching back generations, and the [pearl diver sculpture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pearl-jam) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comet-pendant) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaris), 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pearl Diving-Inspired Restaurant Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jiwan.md) - [Stone Vaulting Glass Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/serpentine-bell.md) - [Interactive Kinetic Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-kinetic-sculptures.md) - [Iridescent Ceramic Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pearlized.md) - [Whimsical Glass Bubbled Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peeka.md) - [Floating Opera Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isola-della-musica.md) - [Pearl-Centric Art Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giga-pearl.md) - [Music-Inspired Glass Blown Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miles-pendant.md) - [Mesmerizing Glass Pendants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dew-pendant.md)