“Sharevari” by Yuri Suzuki for Swarovski at Art Central in Hong Kong

To explore crystal as an acoustic material, Suzuki created a mechanical “crystallophone.” The instrument is made up of 16 brass mechanical structures, with each one featuring a handmade crystal. When brass hammers hit the crystal, vibrations create a pleasant sound, further demonstrating a Swarovski crystal’s ability to become a thing of beauty for multiple senses. To help Suzuki better understand the origin of the material, he traveled to Wattens, Swarovski’s home base in Austria. There, he worked in collaboration with the brand’s engineers to calculate the harmonic frequencies and fine-tune the instrument through systematic acid-polishing and frequency testing.

Throughout the fair, visitors can hear Suzuki’s original compositions, as well as conduct their own songs through a network of sensors.