Newly Designed Swarovski Crystal Star Unveiled for the 2009 Rockefeller Center(R) Christmas Tree |
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By: Swarovski Posted: 2009-11-19 04:55:10 |
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Swarovski, the leading producer of crystal stones and crystal fashion jewelry, today unveiled the newly refurbished crystal star that will crown the 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of International Communications, and Thomas Madden, Managing Director of Tishman Speyer, co-owners of Rockefeller Center, were on hand to reveal the enhancements to the star, which include a cutting-edge computerized new lighting system with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
The star's 12 rays are outfitted with 720 LED bulbs on 3,000 feet of wire to create a dazzling, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing programmed by a complex computer system. This is the first year that the Swarovski star, which debuted at the top of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2004, will feature dynamic light movement. A team of nine artisans and engineers spent three months employing a unique combination of art, science and technology to complete the new design. The team spent 1,200 hours installing, programming and testing the star to ensure the effects would withstand the challenging winter weather conditions 76-feet above Rockefeller Center. The Swarovski star is comprised of 25,000 crystals, with 1,000,000 facets, measures 9 1/2 feet in diameter and is 1 1/2 feet deep. Weighing 550 pounds -- including 300 pounds of crystal panels -- it is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays. The main surfaces of the rays are made of point-mounted safety glass, the same shatter-proof glass that adorns the facades of New York City buildings. The crystals are affixed to the inner sides of the glass in a tight, scale-like pattern to ensure maximum brilliance. "The redesign of the star exemplifies the Swarovski tradition of blending innovation with timeless elegance," said Nadja Swarovski. "We are proud to continue to enhance the star's beauty and to share our vision with visitors to Rockefeller Center from around the world." "We are pleased to once again partner with Swarovski to present New Yorkers and visitors alike with a magnificent symbol of the holidays at Rockefeller Center," said Thomas Madden, Managing Director of Tishman Speyer. "The new elements to the star are sure to dazzle the millions who visit the iconic tree each year." The Swarovski Star now sits atop the 76-foot-high, 40-foot wide, over 10-ton Norway Spruce from the home of Maria Corti. An exact replica of the Swarovski Star will also be on display in Rockefeller Center to allow visitors the opportunity to get a closer view of the detailing and craftsmanship. In addition to the redesign of the star, Swarovski will offer a selection of holiday jewelry and ornaments on sale at the Swarovski holiday kiosk at Rockefeller Center, at Swarovski boutiques nationwide and online. The collection includes stylish star-themed crystal jewelry and an Annual Edition Ornament. The 77th Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd, from 7 P.M.-9 P.M. The two-hour ceremony will be televised live, locally on WNBC-TV from 7 PM-8 PM and nationally on NBC from 8 P.M.-9 P.M. Rockefeller Center officially began the Tree Lighting Ceremony in 1933, when a Christmas tree was erected in front of the then-RCA Building and covered with 700 lights. Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center have ranged from 50-foot Pines to 100-foot Norway Spruces and are viewed by millions of spectators during the holiday season. Spectators can view the lighted tree each day from 5:30 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.; all day (24 hours) on Christmas; and from 5:30 A.M. - 9 P.M. on New Year's Eve. The last day to view the tree is January 9, 2009. About Swarovski: In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewelry stones. From this beginning that revolutionized the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world's leading producer of precision-cut crystal, for fashion, jewelry and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the company, still based in Wattens, family-owned and run by 4th and 5th generation family members, has a global reach, with some 26.000 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2008 of 2.52 billion Euros. Swarovski comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. Swarovski crystal components, known by their product brand names CRYSTALLIZED(TM) - Swarovski Elements for fashion and STRASS® Swarovski® Crystal for architecture and light, have become an essential ingredient of international design. Since 1965 the company has also catered to the fine jewelry industry with precision-cut genuine and created gemstones, and from April 2008 has strengthened this relationship by revitalizing and renaming the product brand ENLIGHTENED(TM) - Swarovski Elements. Showing the creativity that lies at the heart of the company, Swarovski's own-brand lines of accessories, jewelry and home décor are sold through more than 1,600 retail outlets in all major fashion capitals. The exclusive Daniel Swarovski accessories collection has meanwhile become the company's couture signature. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 350,000 members worldwide, keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines. And in Wattens, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media crystal museum, was opened in 1995, as a celebration of Swarovski's universe of innovation and inspiration. The Swarovski corporation also includes Tyrolit®, manufacturing grinding tools, Swareflex, for road safety reflectors and Swarovski Optik, producing precision optical instruments. About Tishman Speyer: Tishman Speyer is the co-owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, the world-famous real estate, shopping and dining complex in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Rockefeller Center is the site of numerous public exhibits and events, including large-scale installations of public art by world-renowned artists including Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons and Jonathan Borofsky. Tishman Speyer has earned a worldwide reputation for innovative utilization of public art in its signature commercial properties, which include Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Center. Tishman Speyer is committed to the preservation and restoration of Rockefeller Center and the historic Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, one of New York's top attractions. Each day an estimated 350,000 people visit the Rockefeller Plaza complex, which during the holidays is home to the most famous Christmas Tree in the world. |
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