For the solo exhibition BLING at the National Glass Museum in Leerdam, we developed a spatial design that translated the sparkling qualities of crystal glass into an immersive exhibition environment. The concept was driven by the idea of bling: reflection, shimmer, excess, and celebration, taken seriously as spatial and material qualities.

At the heart of the exhibition were custom-made vitrine cabinets constructed from mirrors. Inside these mirrored structures, colored lamps illuminated the glass objects in festive, shifting hues, causing the works to glow and refract light in multiple directions. The frames of the vitrines were wrapped in crumpled aluminum, whose irregular surface further intensified reflections and light play. Each vitrine was placed inside a basin filled with washed charcoal—a material chosen for its subtle, natural shine and granular glitter, creating a contrast between raw matter and polished glass.

The entire exhibition space was enclosed by glitter curtains. As visitors entered the room, motion sensors activated the curtains, causing them to tremble and ripple. The resulting soft rustling sound and shimmering movement gave the impression that the space itself was alive and dancing, setting a theatrical tone from the very first step.

Upon entering, visitors encountered a film installation displayed on a television screen wrapped in aluminum tape. Behind the screen hung a curtain printed with hand-drawn sketches showing variations on the iconic Duralex Picardie glass. The exhibition layout guided visitors through the space in a winding path, encouraging slow movement and shifting perspectives. The accompanying texts were presented on aluminum dibond panels, reinforcing the material language of reflection, industry, and polish.

Together, the spatial design, materials, sound, and light formed a total installation that echoed the exhibition’s core research: a reflection on glass, value, mass production, and the lost sparkle of everyday objects. In BLING, the exhibition architecture itself became a lens—amplifying light, movement, and meaning.