11 February 2023

Swarovski store window 'Golden Spring' created by Studio Mary Lennox pays tribute to the 300th anniversary of the Belvedere, one of the world's first public museums

Swarovski invited Berlin-based flower artist and stylist Ruby Barber, founder of the internationally working Studio Mary Lennox (clients include Porsche, Douglas, Cartier,...), to stage the window of the store at the Kärntner Strasse 24 in Vienna on occasion of the 300th anniversary of the city's popular art destination Belvedere. The Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) store is one of the company's largest. In 2009, the store was chosen for mediating art and design to the passersby of the Kärntner Strasse. Since then, artists and designers have staged the store windows like couturier Iris van Herpen who explored in collaboration with artist Bernd Weinmayer with the installation 'Biomorphism' nature and femininity (article). This year, Belvedere's 300th anniversary is the guiding theme. The Belvedere celebrates its anniversary under the motto 'Golden Spring' with a series of exhibitions which reach back to the beginnings ('The Belvedere. 300 Years a Venue for Art' at the Orangerie until 7 January 2024) and give insights into the development of art over the centuries such as the upcoming exhibition, on view from 29 March, 'Picture This! The Belvedere Collection from Cranach to EXPORT' with focus on the reciprocal relationship between art and society.

The Belvedere has a long tradition in connecting art and society. The construction of the summer residence of the general and art collector Prince Eugene of Savoy was completed in 1723. First, it showcased the prince's art collection, later the imperial art collections. In 1777, the art collection was opened to the public with free admission which makes the Belvedere one of the world's first public museums. Studio Mary Lennox visualized the literally groundbreaking role of the Belvedere in the mediation of art to connect people with the past, let them reflect upon the present and look ahead to the future with a crystal model of the Upper Belvedere on an island floating in space. The roots symbolizing origin and growth are made of handcrafted Swarovski Crystal Strands. The green landscape of natural moss with flowers from the Swarovski 'Garden Tales' collection reminds the famous garden of the Belvedere.

Image: View at the window installation 'Golden Spring' created by Studio Mary Lennox on occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Belvedere at the Swarovski Kristallwelten store at the Kärntner Strasse 24 in Vienna. Photo: © Swarovski Kristallwelten. More pictures of the store window installation, which was introduced to the public on 7 February 2023, are published at kristallwelten.swarovski.com. It's announced that the installation will be on view until the end of October 2023.