Behold Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver’s new public art installation by Omer Arbel for Bocci.

The Vancouver-based firm, founded in 2005, has historically launched its new works at Milan’s main international design exhibition in April; this year, for the first time, Bocci is offering a preview before the Milan event in its home town.

Bocci numbers each of their works, and 16 was first envisioned in 2007, but archived as the company’s infrastructure and access to technology were not yet sophisticated enough to realize the work’s full potential. Over the past year, with increased sophistication of both component design and a deeper understanding of glass craft, 16 became a reality.

“I have imagined what 16 would look like for almost a decade,” said Arbel. “It is wonderful to now see it coming to life and prominently placed in Vancouver.”

16 is made of an armature of stainless steel forms that resemble trees, terminating with large, lit glass ‘leaves’ consisting of three layers of glass — milk white, transparent grey, clear — each individually poured on top of the other. By virtue of the fabrication technique, no two leaves are the same in shape. The leaves are assembled in pairs and set in the trees in a process similar to that of setting cabochon stones in jewelry.

“This is an extraordinary work of art, destined to be one of Canada’s most dramatic public art pieces,” said Philip Barnes, regional vice president and general manager, Fairmont Pacific Rim. “We hope it is a point of pride for Vancouverites, and one that becomes a renowned landmark in Vancouver.”