It’s hard to beat the SeaGlass Carousel in NY when it comes to artistic merry-go-rounds, but the Swarovski Crystallized one in Austria by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon comes awfully close.

Swarovski Crystallized Creature Carousel

The Jaime Hayon Crystallized Carousel is a striking black and white modern take on the merry-go-round. An interactive art installation at Swarovski’s Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) in Wattens, Austria, it’s filled with his iconic creatures which resemble birds and clowns.

The striking black-and-white carousel, which is open to visitors, was designed to juxtapose with the lush greenery of the Garden within Kristallwelten, the magical grounds of Swarovski. The contemporary design reimagines the traditional carousel while retaining its nostalgic appeal.

The monochrome design shimmers with 15 million Swarovski crystals across 12 ceiling panels and 16 wall panels and is illuminated with warm lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere. Spanish designer Hayon was inspired by folklore and fairy tales to create the fantasy characters for the seats. Whimsical faces decorate the roof and the surrounding fence, expressing the joy, surprise and delight that riding a carousel brings.

Standing 6.5 meters high and spanning 12.5 meters, the carousel can accommodate 28 passengers of all ages and includes spaces designated for wheelchairs. The installation took six months to create.

Located in the south-west corner of the Garden, Carousel joins other family-oriented installations including André Heller’s ‘Labyrinth’, a four-story high playtower and an outdoor playground.

Interspersed throughout the rest of the Garden are works by famed creators including CAO PERROT, Fredrikson Stallard, Erwin Wurm, Bruno Gironcoli, Thomas Bayrle, Martin Gostner, Kwangho Lee and Alois Schild.

More information about Swarovski’s Crystal Worlds (Kristallwelten)

images and information courtesy of Jaime Hayon and Swarovski