Illustrious designer Tokujin Yoshioka’s latest project in lighting is a spherical illuminated mass of cut crystal. Modeled after a star - and aptly named Stella (it’s Italian translation), the awe-inspiring piece materializes the concept that beauty can be derived from nature. Stella was designed for Swarovski Crystal Palace, a project now in its eighth hear that is aimed at “creating signature interpretations of light and design using the emotive medium of cut crystal.” If you’re not yet enamored, Yoshioka’s descriptive words will likely win you over.

I am drawn to the beauty, transparency and poetry of crystals. Crystal is transparent, 
but it catches light and brilliance. What is important for me is not just designing another 
new chandelier with crystal, but to create a star which shines into the viewer’s heart.

This year, I intend to create a star, descended from the sky emitting many rays of light in the space; thus I would like to name this work “Stella”.Tokujin Yoshioka

Stella elaborates on a common and recurring theme in Yoshioka’s work. In 2005, he designed “Stardust”, a futuristic chandelier entitled which, in his own words, “expressed a scene where moving images being projected onto the dark night sky by an infinite particle of lights.” Three years later, Eternal came to life - a stool that was the brought to life an image of a star cluster pulled down from the sky and sealed eternally in a transparent clump. Stella is the latest in Yoshioka’s star-driven series and will be unveiled (in the flesh) at Milan Design Week 2010.

If you’re headed to Milan this April, also check out his chair, The Invisibles, designed for Kartell. This designer’s having a very good year.

via MoCo Loco and Designboom