Ten Years under the Spell of the Giant

01.01.2005 Swarovski Kristallwelten Wattens

A water-spouting Giant that magically lures visitors into its interior, where Chambers of Wonder ignite beacons of imagination, has been successful in becoming a globally recognised work of art in just ten years while attracting more than 6 million visitors to date. The uniqueness of Swarovski Crystal Worlds is the dream dreamt – the material avowal of a corporation to the diversity of ideas that are unleashed by their material of creation, ultra-brilliant crystal. Originally devised as a gift to employees, collectors, customers and partners in honour of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Swarovski in 1995, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, conceived by André Heller, have become a place where people from different backgrounds take pleasure in their astonishment that is as multi-faceted, spontaneous and unadulterated as crystal itself.

Like its outward symbol, the Giant, the history of Swarovski Crystal Worlds brings to mind fairy tales where fantasy is allowed to persist and beauty always wins: It was intended to be a birthday celebration, magically staged by André Heller; however, he suggested creating an installation of permanent value and so under his creative direction, the Giant of Wattens was born to this world in 1995 as the guardian of sparkling treasures from the hand of renowned artists. In order to align the Crystal Worlds to the great unanticipated number of guests (720,000 people viewed the Chambers of Wonder in 2004!), new Chambers of Wonder were added in 2003.

Press Release (PDF)