Sofia Hagen showed her light art installation “Crystalline“ in front of the Alte Dogana at “Spotlight“ from 9th to 12th October 2024.

A towering salt crystal rises into the sky, surrounded by a constellation of smaller crystals. These 3D printed, illuminated forms, accompanied by bespoke light and sound collages, harmonize with the architecture around them, creating a dialogue with the historic context. The result is a mesmerizing interplay of material, surface, and light, casting an enchanting glow that captivates the senses. For four evenings, this luminous installation will be open to all free of charge.

“Crystalline”
The work “Crystalline” by artist Sofia Hagen will be shown for the first time at this year’s “Spotlight”. A composition of 3D printed elements made from recycled plastic come together to form a striking, ephemeral light art installation. At its centre, a large scale 2.7 metres tall salt crystal rises gracefully into the sky, surrounded by smaller crystals playfully dispersed around it. The installation is enhanced by a soundscape created by Loulou van Ravensteijn, adding depth and atmosphere to the sculptural light display.

Innovative technology
The manufacturer MDT A/S Flexible Products in Denmark produced the large crystal in a continuous 3D printing process lasting 68 hours. With a height of almost 3 metres it is the largest possible monolithic object that can be produced using this printing process.

The material rPETG corresponds to recycled polyethylene terephthalate which has been modified with glycol. The translucent filament was obtained from disposable containers from the medical sector and can only be reused for the production of 3D prints. As with crystal formation in nature, temperature and humidity play a role in the production of the filament and influence how the material behaves during printing and affect the translucency of the end result.

Sofia Hagen
Born in Vorarlberg, Austria, Sofia Hagen (*1982) lives and works in London. She studied architecture at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna under Zaha Hadid. Since 2020 she leads an award-winning creative practice working at the intersection of art, design and tech to create 3D printed sculptural products and installations. The practice has built a reputation for blending high-end design with cutting-edge technology and advanced material research. Merging recycled materials with traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology, Sofia Hagen produces elements, feature installations, and placemaking schemes that push the boundaries of engineering whilst bearing the incentive of a continuous, sustainable afterlife. 

Statement Sofia Hagen
“’Crystalline’ is a beautiful collaborative journey where we were able to explore the frontiers of cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and multi-sensory light art. The success of this project hinged on the dedicated teamwork involved: from my advanced 3D printing partners and software engineers who pushed their robots to the limit, to the structural, installation, and lighting engineers who transformed our innovative methods into a striking piece of art. And ultimately, turning the light art installation into an immersive experience, the ephemeral, poetic soundscape was composed specifically for ‘Crystalline’, perfectly complementing its context within Feldkirch’s medieval center.”

Concept, idea, realisation: Sofia Hagen, Austria / UK
Sound Production: Loulou van Ravensteijn, Netherlands / UK
3D print production: MDT, Denmark
Material: Reflow, Netherlands
Structural Engineers: Define Engineers, UK
Light: Zumtobel, Austria
Administration: Lisa Hinderdael, UK