Paris' grand Maison et Objet is never short of bright lights – or illuminaries, for that matter – and 2016 will be no exception. Proof in point: Cassia, the latest design and bespoke installation created by Petra Krausová for Czech lighting company Lasvit.
Unveiled at the international furniture fair, the dynamically-lit sculpture draws on two seemingly opposing sources of inspiration: the star-studded sky and universe beyond; and, on the other end of the scale, the delicacy of a flower swaying in the breeze.
Such conflicting inspirations might seem at odds to some, but Krausová is known for marrying tradition with technology in a seemingly effortless and organic way.
'I conceived this concept as a field of flowers or stars that expand across the interior,' says the designer.
Krausová's previous designs for the Czech brand have focused on large scale installations – the kinetic 'Supernova' and florid 'Alice', for instance – so this time she set her sights on creating something that didn't necessarily need a huge amount of space to make an impact. 'Each client can, metaphorically-speaking, pick the flowers they want and as many as they need to fill their space,' she explains.
Each one of Cassia's hand-blown pendant lights is able to stand alone, but for those who crave a statement – as seen at the Lasvit stand over the weekend – multiple pendants can be grouped together or mounted onto walls. (Each glass element has its own light source and simple brushed brass socket or wall mounting.) A soft, flowing light – resembling the movements of flowers in the field, or twinkling stars – brings a final flourish to the flexible sculpture.
Individual pendants come together to form a cosmos of blooming lights
Watch the blown glass experts of LASVIT craft Petra Krausová’s ’Cassia’
’I conceived this concept as a field of flowers or stars that expand across the interior,’ says the designer. ’Each client can, metaphorically-speaking, pick the flowers they want and as many as they need to fill their space’. Pictured: Krausová’s working sketches
INFORMATION
Photography courtesy of LASVIT
-
Maserati unveils the Fuoriserie By Hiroshi Fujiwara MC20 Cielo modelHiroshi Fujiwara, the so-called Godfather of Streetwear, lends his talents to Maserati’s in-house bespoke division, creating a stylish take on the company’s open-topped supercar
-
Diffar is a new Japanese hair brand making perfume oil at the foot of Mount FujiDiffar, a newly founded Japanese beauty brand, creates perfume oils for hair in its Mount Fuji laboratory that are set to travel the world
-
New exhibition, ‘Architecture for Dogs' celebrates the human-canine bondAs a showcase of designs for dogs opens in Milan, we find out why inviting our four-legged friends into exhibitions benefits everybody.
-
Recycled glass tiles by Studio Plastique, Snøhetta and Fornace Brioni launch in MilanThe ‘Forite’ tile collection, which upcycles glass components from discarded fridges, ovens and microwaves, launches with an exhibition at Alcova during Milan Design Week 2022
-
Murano glass designs mesmerise in Venice exhibitionLuca Nichetto curates ‘Empathic – Discovering a Glass Legacy’ at Venice’s Punta Conterie gallery (until 10 April 2022), featuring work by eight international designers made in Murano glass workshops
-
Bethan Laura Wood designs glass tables for Wonderglass inspired by travelsBethan Laura Wood created the ‘Chain’ glass collection during lockdown, using Wonderglass’s cast glass to build tables shown at Venice Glass Week
-
Cultural crossings at Maison et Objet January 2020In Paris this January, Maison et Objet (17-21 January) spanned fun rides, poetic performances and a Mediterranean brand launch
-
A new design, fashion and retail experience opens in ParisNew brand La Manufacture offers French allure and Italian craft under the creative crew of Robert Acouri, Milena Laquale and Luca Nichetto
-
The Czech designers reshaping the future of glassOur discoveries from DesignBlok 2019, which took place inside Prague’s ornately rendered Industrial Palace, an Art Nouveau convention centre from the late 19th century
-
The glass industry in Venice carves space for the next generationDavid Landau, the founder of Venice Glass Week, discusses how Murano is healing old wounds, and the global gaze on the city's glass industry
-
Whimsical Murano mirrors scoop Bonhams Prize in Venice
