VOA - Serip
Either in suspension or standing against a wall, the use of the Hirundo Rustica swallows in this latest Serip piece create a dramatic game of shadows and light. The swallows stay aligned, side by side, in an extreme organic and sharp textured tree branch, creating extraordinary contrasts with the fluid shapes of their bodies.
Gemma - Preciosa Lighting
Alluringly practical, Gemma shines an exquisite light on functionality. A column of detailed cut crystal gently illuminates from the top, while a purposeful light radiates downward. The stainless steel and glass casing make it a graceful addition to any space. Gemma is the perfect combination of contemporary heritage, with its modern form featuring traditional glass cutting techniques and material by designer Daniel Szöllösi.
Speaking exclusively with darc, Szöllösi explained his vision behind the new release. “The concept was inspired by Preciosa’s traditional glass cutting craft and the way glass transforms into what I see as a gemstone. Its concept was inspired simply by the fact that there was no lamp in Preciosa’s portfolio with both functional and decorative lighting features. I imagined a contemporary design yet a classy one that is very functional and can be used both as a spotlight over a reading table, reception area, table in a restaurant, or as a source of ambient, more decorative and magical light. Gemma can fit any given space by adjusting the light from both sources as desired.”
A relatively young designer, Szöllösi’s relationship with Preciosa began when he was working on his diploma thesis and received callback from the lighting brand for an interview. Preciosa selects three diploma works each year, with the idea of producing them as fully functional prototypes. With a decision to be made – should he continue with his diploma thesis on chair design or take an entirely new direction to work on a pendant – the Gemma lamp was born.
Commenting on the process so far, Szöllösi tells darc: “One of the most challenging aspects of this project was finding the technical solutions that allows the design to be fully functional yet aesthetically pleasing. For example, I had to design a solution to wire up the socket for the bottom spotlight lamp - it has to be invisible yet at the same time, is placed behind transparent glass. Another, similarly difficult part was designing a way for owners to easily remove the middle component in order to change both light sources; the final design only takes three moves: upward push, leftward twist, downward pull.
As with a lot of Preciosa’s works, Gemma makes use of crystal glass and metal. Szöllösi continues: “One of things about working with glass that fascinates me is how it is created from the amorphous molten silica mineral, but ends up as a refined piece of glass in any shape, but at the same time complements a stainless steel pipe that is, in contrast, machine produced from start to finish.”
What makes Gemma stand out from the rest of the Preciosa range, is its use of two light sources that have different functions and can be independently controlled. The combination of direct light from the spotlight placed at the bottom of the lamp and indirect ambient light emitted from the lamp placed in the centre of the fixture offer different lighting options but in one designer piece.
“Gemma uses simple technologies allowing the customer to do all the maintenance,” says Szöllösi. “The setup of the lamps and the wiring allows the fixture to be connected via various control systems. Both the ambient lamp and the spotlight are individually controlled and on dimmers. This gives the user ultimate control on the amount of lighting needed at any particular time.”
The design concept of Gemma makes it suitable for any environment imaginable. With three modifications available – frosted, clear, and a frosted wedge cut, key features of the fixture make it suitable for environments where you want to create the perfect mood lighting, but it also fits areas for work or reading when more direct light is required.
Gatsby - Vondom
Presented at this year’s Salone del Mobile, the Gatsby collection from Vondom, designed by product designer Ramón Esteve, recalls the era of Art Deco lighting. Esteve has been working with Vondom since 2010 very beginning and was in charge of the brand’s artistic management from 2012-2017, shaping it in its different phases of growth.
Speaking with darc about the new lighting collection, Esteve says: “We had been thinking about designing a small battery powered table lamp for a while. I sketched out several very different proposals and finally decided to make it in a transparent polycarbonate material, which was vital in obtaining the final result. From here onwards, as usual when working with Vondom, the process was fast and fluid. The lamp was born from the idea of creating an evolving item through a suggestive combination of lights, achieved by the surfaces of the piece. This polycarbonate material recreates the sensations and shapes of engraved glass and a very special combination of light and shadows when switched on.
“The Gatsby lamp is ideal for creating special atmospheres in both the privacy of your own home or public spaces, thanks to the patterns that the light sketches when it projects the shapes of the glass.”
Its autonomy, adjustable light intensity and the possibility of choosing the projected colour at any moment makes Gatsby a perfect technological solution. “Thanks to its lithium battery, this piece has a very long autonomy and its charging method is very simple, similar to a mobile phone charger,” says Esteve. “There were various challenges with this project – we had to seriously think about the proportions of the lamp in order to accommodate the electronic components necessary. As well as that, when you are elaborating a transparent injection piece, you have to work to disguise its own unmoulding marks.
“I think the most distinctive thing about Gatsby in comparison to other lighting products available is its pronounced Art Deco aesthetic. Of course the feeling it creates due to the symmetrical patterns the light reflects when it projects on to its geometric shapes, makes Gatsby a very special lamp in any atmosphere. It is a classic, sophisticated and contemporary piece.”
www.vondom.com / www.ramonesteve.com
Il Silenzio - Saas
Il Silenzio is inspired by the silence of the light. The high quality LED light gives gentle and focused downlight by the handmade glass piece formed like the trumpet and inside, there is a traditional Venetian mirror finish. It is light that combines Scandinavian design with traditional Italian craftsmanship.
Propella - Dunca Meerding Studio
The new Propella light, seen here in black stain, casts dramatic shadows through an eight-bladed form. Each piece is handcrafted from Tasmanian Eucalyptus, Blackwood and aluminium - meshing organic and industrial shapes and is flat-packed to reduce shipping costs and its effect on the environment.
Victoria - Blond
Victoria is the latest collaboration between Bornstein Lyckefors and Swedish manufacturer Blond. The luminaire featured three different patterns on the reflector, in two different sizes and is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.It is possible to hang the luminaires as single pendants or in a row by catenary suspension.
Illan - Luceplan
Designed by Zsuzsanna Horvath, technological innovation and research into materials melt harmoniously into the suspension lamp Illan from Hungarian designer Zsuzsanna Horvath. The decorative character of the lamp is emphasised by the lightweight laser-cut plywood featuring equidistant lines, suspended from the ceiling. Available in multiple sizes.
Ringo - Formagenda
Available as a wall or ceiling light, the soft shape of Ringo resolves the mostly simple geometry of a standard round ceiling light. There are four versions: Version A for evenly distributed light, Version B emits light both to the front and the rear, Version C radiates to the front and Version D is steamed on the front providing indirect light.
Interweave - Artemide
Designed by Pallavi Dean, Interweave is a flexible system that integrates light and services. Suspended cylinders fixed to the ceiling or wall guide a flexible LED light line, allowing you to freely model it following soft and unexpected geometries. The light connects the different elements of the system, evoking a theme of connections and relationships.
Pomme - CTO Lighting
Inspired by the gentle curves of petals coming into bloom, the curve of Pomme’s glass is achieved by experimenting with the material whilst still in its liquid form. The giant dimple at the centre gives the light a sculptural appeal.
The table light comes in two finishes; tinted and matte opal, the metal base comes in two finishes, satin brass or bronze.
Lighting wins at NYCxDesign
(USA) - 2019 NYCxDesign Awards winners include strong lighting pieces.
The awards, which celebrate outstanding talent across major areas of design such as architecture, interiors, furnishings, lighting, and technology - were held on 20 May during NYCxDesign, New York City's showcase of global design, featuring more than 500 citywide events.
Winners and honorees for both Products and Projects in 77 categories were announced during the ceremony at Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. Lighting wins included:
Best Sconce - Della by Buoyant NYC | The Della Sconce consists of CNC machined Quartz and Onyx stone, wall mounted in such a way as to create impactful statements of shadow, light and translucency.
Best Pendant - Pebble Series by ANDlight | The Pebble series celebrates the inexplicable and beautiful qualities of stones. Enhancing their simple yet sculptural form through translucency, glass blown shapes come create a seemingly bespoke fixture - endlessly evolving in shape as it appears from different angles.
Best Chandelier - Haara Metsa by Cameron Design House | Designed to be hung vertically like a weeping willow branch the Metsa is a unique, contemporary statement piece at any size. The cylindrical lanterns are assembled from hand-drawn glass and polished brass, concealing the lighting element and creating a distinctive and beautiful lighting diffuser to be admired whether the light is on or off.
Best Floor / Table Lamp - Oo by Eny Lee Parker | Handmade in Eny Lee Parker's studio, materials include ceramic base (unglazed, natural clay color), satin glass shade, brushed copper parts. Custom colour for bases are available upon request and the lamp is dimmable for use with LED light sources.
NYCxDesign win for Stickbulb
(USA) - Stickbulb receives coveted Best in Show Award for new collection, Chime at NYCxDesign 2019.
New York design studio Rux has extended its modular Stickbulb series with a chandelier modelled on a large wind chime.
A series of wooden rods featuring LED strips screw onto powder-coated steel rings to form the light. However, they appear to hang freely, in the formation of a windchime.
Stickbulb's products are all made in-house at the brand's Long Island City studio, and predominantly use reclaimed or sustainably sourced wood.
For Chime, the designers have used redwood reclaimed from a water tower recently demolished in the city. Other options include sustainably sourced American walnut and maple, and ebonised oak.
Chime is available in three sizes including 20, 28 and 36 inches, which can either be hung individually or clustered together into cascading forms.
The rods can be twisted individually to reveal the LED outward or inward, depending on the amount of light the user desires.
