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FEBRUARY 18, 2008HARRODS CELEBRATES THE SENSES WITH WORLD’S FIRST EXHIBITION IN A LIFTMichael Nyman | Chris Levine | Baerbel Mohr | The Aroma Co | Morellis | RNIB As part of its Senses season, today Harrods is launching Lifted – the world’s first exhibition to be displayed in elevators – running 18 February to 28 March. The store’s six Grade II* listed lifts (dating back to 1927) will be devoted to each of the five senses, with the likes of award-winning Piano composer Michael Nyman (sound) and award-winning visual artist Chris Levine (lighting) creating inspiring and energising experiences that enhance the senses. The final lift will interpret the sixth sense through cosmic ordering.
Sight Award-winning visual artist Chris Levine has developed, Free the Beam, a light installation which he describes as heightening the visio-sensory experience using “single wavelengths of life propagating energy; light, the raw data of image in its purest form – laser.” The light sculpture contains over one hundred micro electronic lasers which are directed into Swarovski crystals to submerge the lift in dynamic kinetic light-forms. Laser pod modules are linked to the lift doors and laser beams only appear once they are closed so that passengers are immersed in an other-worldly space of organic structures and patterns. Sound Award winning composer Michael Nyman has created Lift Music 1 for a string quartet and piano which creates feelings of confinement through the use of phrases that constantly fold back on each other. Nyman commented, “I wanted to achieve emotional power but also demonstrate how sound can effect you physically. The sense of the music constantly folding back on itself creates a feeling of confined, even cramped, emotional space.” Smell Smell can affect us up to 75% more than any of our other senses. Taking scent to the next level, The Aroma Co has created an installation that triggers emotional responses by emitting controlled bursts of smells such as new car, laundry and pomegranate via wall-mounted buttons. “Smell stimulates our emotions more strongly because it is received and processed in the limbic area of the brain which deals with our emotions rather than the cortex which is primarily responsible for rational thought,” explains Simon Harrop of Aroma Co. “We’re also replicating the smells in the lift throughout the store and combining with sound to create a holistic shopping experience so you’ll get the scent of new car combined with revving engines in men’s tailoring or coconut with departure boards changing in the travel section. It’s about putting some of the basic pleasure that most shopping experience, especially internet shopping, has removed.” Taste The Every day is Sundae installation by famous gelateria, Morellis, is designed to inspire the taste-buds of young and old alike, and illustrate that although we all have our favourite flavours, with ice-cream, anything is possible. Morellis started in 1932 as a family run ice cream parlour in Broadstairs. Ice-cream was freshly made to a traditional creamy recipe, and was used in a myriad of sundaes and ice-creams. Aside from its traditional range, Morellis is reknown for being able to create more obscure flavours ranging from ‘parmesan and pear’, ‘white chocolate and pickled onion’, ‘brussel sprout’, ‘Christmas dinner’, and also produced a ‘Jammie Dodger’ especially for actress Billie Piper. During the Senses season, Morellis and Harrods are offering customers the opportunity to create their own unique flavours, and each week, one lucky person will have their flavour put into production for sale at Harrods. Each week’s designer will receive a litre of their flavour and one of them will also be given a year's supply of ice-cream! Touch There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems and every day another 100 people will start to lose their sight. Reflections on Touch is a tactually and visually stunning display created by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) that celebrates the importance of touch from the personal perspective of blind and partially sighted individuals. Tactile hands represent the touch of contributors, with quotes bringing to life the many ways in which touch is important in all areas of their lives. Commenting on their involvement, Caroll Pattison, spokesperson for the RNIB said: “This is a fabulous showcase for RNIB's work in accessibility, particularly with the use of the Braille language. We hope those visiting Lifted will feel inspired to find out more the about our work and the challenges that face blind and partially sighted individuals.” Sixth Sense Best-selling author and cosmic ordering expert Baerbel Mohr has created The Cosmic Ordering Letterbox. Cosmic ordering is the belief that individuals can use their desires to "connect with the cosmos" and make those desires become reality (Noel Edmonds credits Baerbel’s work with turning his career around). Baerbel’s installation lets customers send wishes to the universe by submitting a list of things they want to come true. Mohr commented, “I wanted something that would encourage people to stop and reconnect to the source of life within them.” “When we reconnect with our inner self by practicing gratitude and asking what we wish for wish for in the world we automatically reconnect to our heart and intuition. Those are the most important things we need if we want to create a better world.” Commenting on Lifted, Harrods Director of Communications, Peter Willasey said: “Lifted is a truly unique and interactive exhibition. A first of it’s kind, Lifted was specifically designed for the Senses season to challenge our customer’s overall perception of the senses. “We’re very pleased to have these esteemed artists and experts on board to make it happen, and enhance the overall shopping experience at Harrods during this promotion.” The Senses season at Harrods, runs 4 February to 28 March The Lifted exhibition opens 18 February to 28 March Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL Store Opening Hours - 10am – 8pm, Mon-Sat, Sun 12-6pm Previews - By appointment Cost - Free For further information, including special announcements for ‘Touch’ and ‘Taste’ lifts, please contact: Meka Njodi meka@borkowski.co.uk or Andre Dang at Harrods Press Office Notes Shimmer Manish Arora has created a unique glow in the dark dress as part of his Pop Art inspired Spring/Summer 2008 collection. A special design print was used and over 100 individual butterflies were handmade by craftsmen to produce this visually dramatic piece. Crystallized Swarovski elements have been incorporated with embroidery techniques on silk, satin and vinyl materials. The amazing dress, that took 50 days to create, is available exclusively from Harrods at £16,000. View The ANEMIX is a lighting system that creates unique 3D effects. Using panels composed by a luminescent and a reflective layer, this can be modified to create a wide range of visual effects. This technology has been developed by Luxia, a Chilean company formed by two young architects and lighting designers, Ximena Munoz and Paulina Villalobos, with the industrial designer Monica Labra. The art installations using this are inspired by bioluminescence, a natural phenomenon which takes place in the sea depth, where some species produce light in order to survive in the lightless hostile environment. Themes will include fireworks (to represent sight), headphones and music (sound), bubbles (touch), flowers (smell), people eating (taste) and the cosmos (sixth sense). Stroke Natura Bissé launches the incredible new Mineral Magnetic Therapy to purify and cleanse skin, and bring balance and harmony to mind and body. Active ingredients include diamond, dust and micronised iron and magnetic particles which counter the effects caused by electromagnetic particles which counter the effects caused by electromagnetic pollution in the environment, relieve stress and improve cell functioning. Exclusive to Harrods for three months from March for £220. |
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