Stone light sculptures use shadow play to create a more dramatic effect

Lamps are designed to bring light to a space, but that doesn’t mean they need to be dazzling or blinding. In fact, some lamps emit more subdued and diffused illumination to create a specific atmosphere and enhance the ambiance of an area. Some lighting fixtures even go beyond just the light they shine, putting just as much emphasis on the form they come in or, in some cases, the effects they have on the environment around them. This collection of light sculptures, for example, are more pieces of art than just lamps, but the way it casts shadows inside and around it delivers more impact that, in turn, further enhances the effect that the warm light produces.

Designer: Alex and Henri (Frero)

It’s almost too easy to take for granted the effect that shadows have on our surroundings. Given their dark nature, they’re often regarded as “bad” or even “ugly” elements, especially when they do obscure other more important objects in a composition. That said, shadows actually create a more impactful composition, especially when they contrast with light and create interesting forms thanks to the shapes that stand between the light source and the surface the shadows are projected on.

Fuca

Fuca

Suma

Suma

The Tala Asa collection of light sculptures embraces this kind of shadow play, putting equal importance on both light and darkness to generate a more striking overall visual. Just like in art, negative space provides not only breathing room but a canvas for these contrasting elements to draw on, casting shadows inside holes while also shining light through them. The earthen aesthetic of sculptures provides additional contrast to the unearthly glow of the light shining from inside.

Coco

Coco

Anta

Anta

Each of the five sculptures has a story to tell through their different forms. Fuca’s simple frame pays homage to the beauty of square elements you might find around you, while the arching Suma is inspired by the geological wonder that is the Ring of Fire. Two squares on top of each other make Coco represent balance and equilibrium, while the interplay of Anta’s three stripes embodies both unity and individuality. Lastly, Sunda’s more complicated pairing is meant to convey the intricate structures and complex relationships of tectonic plates, cutting a powerful and imposing figure in any space it stands on.

Sunda

Sunda

Regardless of their design or inspiration, all five sculptures draw from the earth in more ways than one. They’re available in natural tone finishes, including bone, sienna, terra, olive, and lava, but they’re also made from reclaimed stone and minerals bound with resin and coated with natural plaster paint. And just like how the sun and the earth create an interesting play of light and shadow, the Tala Asa light sculptures bring that interesting dynamic to a smaller degree in your home, office, or any space that needs just a little bit of natural inspiration to bring it to life.

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The ‘Gentle Geometry’ Of Wood Reflecting Cultures Through Sculptures By Aleph Geddis

If you are inclined to woodworking, sculpture, or an appreciation for abstract geometric forms, the creations of sculptor Aleph Geddis are sure to captivate your imagination. Geddis’ work is a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship, modernist aesthetics, and a deep-rooted fascination with the fundamental structures of our world.

Designer: Aleph Geddis

Aleph Geddis’ artistic roots can be traced back to his upbringing on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. Immersed in a creative environment shaped by his stepfather’s expertise in sculpture, carving, and boat building, Geddis found inspiration in the stylized naturalism of Northwest Coast Native carvings. His early works reflected this influence, evolving over time to incorporate diverse cultural experiences, such as a transformative family trip to Japan.

His sculptures beautifully straddle the intersection of different cultures and artistic traditions. Drawing upon the rich traditions of wood carving and totems from the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the intricate woodwork of Bali, Geddis merges these influences with the familial impact of his stepfather’s similar craft. The result is a collection of hand-carved pieces that resonate with a global and timeless aesthetic.

As Geddis’ artistic journey unfolds, a consistent theme emerges—exploring the simple elegance inherent in natural forms. His recent works delve into the integral shapes of Platonic solids, conveying a sense of truth beyond human subjectivity. For the sculptor, these forms possess a magical existence that predates and will outlast humanity, offering viewers the pleasure of interacting with something timeless and profound. His Orcas Island studio serves as the birthplace of each meticulously handcrafted piece, connecting the artist’s work to the landscapes that have shaped him.

The sculptor acknowledges the profound impact of a trip to Japan on his artistic exploration. Exposed to the country’s rich woodworking tradition, he integrates Japanese craftsmanship elements into his sculptural endeavors. This influence adds depth and diversity to his work, contributing to a body of art that seamlessly weaves together figurative, abstract, and even architectural elements.

Geddis’ sculptures cross the rational realm of mathematics and Platonic solids while embracing a spiritually inspired curiosity about sacred geometry. Some of his vertical pieces evoke a softer interpretation of Brutalist forms, while others conjure visions of wondrous alien audio speakers reminiscent of Arcosanti. Each creation invites viewers to contemplate the intersection of the tangible and the transcendent, encouraging a deeper exploration of the mystical dimensions embedded in his wooden sculptures. Each of his pieces is an artwork that makes you think, learn, and build conversations. And trust me, the longer you look at them, the more there is to keep.

Aleph Geddis’ sculptures are more than mere artistic expressions; they are gateways to a world where tradition, culture, and the inherent beauty of natural forms converge. Each piece from the Pacific Northwest to Japan reflects the artist’s journey, inviting viewers to join him on a visual and conceptual exploration of warm geometries sculpted from wood—a testament to the enduring magic found within the simplicity of shapes and the richness of cultural intersections.

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Love Hultén brick-inspired sound sculpture uses a bonsai tree to create sounds

With the prevalence of electronic devices like smartphones and smart speakers, you might think that sound and music can only come from these objects. Of course, they are more medium than source, and there are plenty of things that generate audible audio waves even without the help of man-made contraptions. Nature, for example, has plenty of mystifying sounds that almost border on being musical, but there are also hidden ways that natural objects can produce sounds with a little help from technology. Using biological data and a bit of scientific creativity, one can even hear the “music” that plants make, such as this rather unique “sound sculpture” that makes a small bonsai tree sing its heart out in alien-like tones.

Designer: Love Hultén

To be clear, plants don’t make music, no matter how enchanting that concept might be. What artists, musicians, and designers are doing is to gather the subtle electrical signals generated by chemical changes in plants and interpret them as a series of tones generated by a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) device that hardly resembles a pleasing harmony. That said, even that straightforward process is enough to capture one’s curiosity and inspire a sense of wonder, even if it won’t win any music awards.

Tegel is one such artistic exploration in the translation of biological signals into audible sounds utilizing the popular bonsai tree. The choice of plant is almost poetic, given how this family of diminutive plants is often associated with meditation, calmness, and Zen. Ironically, the tones and beeps that are produced by this sound sculpture are hardly relaxing and are more like EDM for parties.

The small tree is housed inside a tall glass dome and is connected to an audio synthesizer via wires clipped onto its leaves. The plant acts more like a series of resistors rather than an actual sound source, and the sound sculpture incorporates dials to fine-tune the sound that comes out of it. There’s even a MIDI keyboard so that the user can add their own input to the mix.

What makes Tegel really special isn’t the process but the form that it comes in. Love Hultén has created quite a few of these contraptions that transform biodata into sound, but those really look the part of machines. In contrast, this sound sculpture is as much art as it is technology, inspired by the brick creations of Danish sculptor Per Kirkeby. It makes the bonsai tree a part of a miniaturized brick garden, creating a visual contrast of organic life and man-made structures working together to produce something akin to a miracle, that of pulling music out of a silent tree.

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Enjoy sheets of water through your fingers in sculpture-like faucet from Kohler

There are some things that you use every day that serve a certain function and you don’t really care about what it looks like or how it’s made, as long as it does what it’s supposed to do. One of these things is the water faucet which you most likely use more than once a day (unless you’re stuck in bed and can’t get up). What if this simple piece of your life “exists beyond conventional expectations” and still does its job?

Designer: Samuel Ross for Kohler

The Formation 01 Faucet is a creation from Samuel Ross’ design studio SR_A for luxury bathroom and kitchen manufacturer Kohler. It doesn’t really look like your ordinary or even high end faucets look like. Rather, it was designed as a functional piece of sculpture that is still able to give you the water that you need when you want to use a faucet. The way it was designed is to give you a continuous sheet of water, whether you’re using it for cleaning or cooling down.

The faucet is made from an advanced composite material called Neolast, which is the proprietary material from Kohler. They were able to form it into that kind of shape since the material is able to offer “boundless form, unexpected texture, and rich, saturated colors”. It sports the color orange since it is the designer’s signature shade. Underneath the fauce is an embossed cast iron escutcheon plate to celebrate the collaboration between the brand and the designer.

The Formation 01 Faucet does look extraordinary and innovative, from the color to the seemingly-abstract shape. But what I really enjoy, at least from the product renders, is how the water comes out in a sheet, which looks and hopefully feels pretty cool (maybe literally even).

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Porsche sculpture bewilders motorheads at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023

The Goodwood Festival of Speed saw nature’s fury abruptly cancel the event in West Sussex during the latter half, but some major highlights left a lasting impression on the estate of the Duke of Richmond. Porsche celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and the speed festival saw an installation that revers in the German marque’s success.

The speed festival also marks its 30th anniversary, and for this double dose of celebration, British artist Gerry Judah designed a jaw-dropping sculpture of the classic Porsche sportscars and road cars that have made an appearance at the event all these years and are pivotal in the brand’s soaring success. The colossal sculpture has six branching arms each displaying the racing cars that are important milestones in their 75 years of success.

Designer: Gerry Judah

This steel structure has a dodecahedral center with looping hoops leading to the six arms representing the line of speed eventually leading to the cars. According to Judah the inspiration for this marvel comes from the craving to make “a sculpture that would be celebratory.” He believes the installation is like, “setting off fireworks to enhance the joy of peace.” The sculpture is positioned in front of the Goodwood house as the festival’s center feature, just like all these years.

Judah in the past has created artistic sculptures including the 31-metre-high looping structure showcasing the Aston Martin DBRI car and one in celebration of race-car driver Bernie Ecclestone, but this one is special in its own rights. The gargantuan figure stands 28 meters tall at its highest point and 26 meters wide. To support the frame and the weight of the precious Porsche’s fighting against gravity, the structure is crafted from 40 tonnes of steel and supported by a 290-tonne concrete base.

The longest arm holds the single-seater Porsche 718 Formula 2 sportscar (making a successful debut in the 1960 Formula 2 season) to represent all the future racing endeavors for Porsche. Under this speedster is the Porsche 963 suspended in the celebratory livery and the gravity-defying Blaupunkt liveried Porsche 962 powered by a turbocharged flat-six engine is spiked adjacent to it. The Porsche 911 series is represented by the 992 Carrera introduced in 2018 and the 997.2 Sports Classic with the ducktail spoiler.

It’s coated in white just like other sculptures made by Judah because he believes the color tends to enhance the overall shape and exemplify the details. The oldest of them all, the Porsche 365 (manufactured between 1948-1965) is suspended closest to the ground.

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This 3D printed sculptural concrete bench is designed to enhance the Southampton Skate Park

 

Rich Holland has designed multiple skateparks around the world, and he’s now busy working on an inclusive new park in Southampton. The new park is meant to elevate and revamp Southampton’s skating scene, and Holland has rejuvenated the space with a series of super interesting furniture objects!

Designer: Rich Holland

Holland has been known for his skateboard-centric designs and landscapes since 2000, and one of his recent works involved strategizing and designing the Nike skate landscape in the brand’s Netherlands headquarters.  And, his collaboration with Skate Southampton involves renovating and transforming the pre-existing space at Guildhall Square, and creating a skating area that is much more open, spacious, engaging, and visually and aesthetically pleasing! And Holland recently unveiled one of the pieces – the PSFF Bench. The PSFF Bench is a prototype and is a furniture piece with a sculptural appeal to it.

It is 3D printed using concrete! Besides adding character to the square and enhancing its overall appeal, the bench aims to function as an off-the-shelf solution for providing public skateboard-focused furniture to places all over the world. 3D Printing is truly gaining more momentum and popularity than ever. Designers and architects all over the world are now adopting 3D Printing for the creation of almost all types of products and structures. It’s a technique that is being widely utilized in product design, owing to its simple and innovative nature, so it’s no surprise that it’s being introduced to the world of sports as well.

With this project Holland hopes to bring iconic sweeping skate landscapes, and minimal concrete design to the skating world of Southampton. It includes a collection of 3D-printed furniture pieces that are wholly focused on skating. The objects are created using concrete, and no other material. The 3D-printing process used to produce the pieces was brought to life in collaboration with the Eindhoven University of Technology and contractor BAM Infra. The process is supremely optimized and produces premium-quality construction products. The furniture is quite sports-centric and has a rather minimalistic and unassuming appeal to it, allowing the material, the form, and the sturdiness to speak through.

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Lifesize ‘Pan Solo in Carbonite’ Bread Sculpture

Participating in the Downtown Benicia Main Street Scarecrow Contest, bakers Hanalee Pervan and her mother Catherine of One House Bakery in Benicia, California, created this lifesize ‘Pan Solo in Carbonite’ bread sculpture. Did it win the contest? I have no clue, but it certainly won my heart. And stomach. Now, where’s the butter and jam?

The sculpture is made entirely from dough and is currently on display in the front window of the One House Bakery but will make its way to the compost pile after Han has reached his best-by date. That’s a shame because I love stale bread. It’s like toast but without needing a toaster.

Obviously, what kind of Star Wars fan would I be if I didn’t include an “I loaf you,” “I dough,” joke in here somewhere, so consider this that joke. Now somebody bake me a Death Star cake, I’m so hungry I could eat a tauntaun.

[via BoingBoing]

Terrifying ‘Realistic’ LEGO Minifig: Everything Is Not Awesome

Because a pleasant night’s sleep void of nightmares is overrated, model builder and YouTuber North of the Border went and crafted this ‘realistic’ LEGO minifig, complete with a terrifying face and unholy finger and toenails. I think it goes without saying, but my wife is going to be annoyed that I insist on sleeping with the lights on tonight.

Those eyes. That mouth. Those nails! Nothing about this is okay, and I really wish North of the Border would have reconsidered the project before going through with it, and that the website I saw it at reconsidered before posting it. Yet here we are. I don’t like it here.

Well, at least it doesn’t move. At least there’s that. And don’t let that give you any new project ideas! Good lord – could you imagine this little creeper crawling out of your toy chest and sprinting across the room to the foot of your bed right when you’re about to turn the lights off for the night? Sweet dreams!

[via Neatorama]

Giant Realistic Squid Made Entirely Out of Chocolate

They say, “dream it, and you can achieve it” (especially if you have some degree of advanced skill.) With that in mind, chef Amaury Guichon of the Pastry Academy in Las Vegas went and constructed a surprisingly realistic squid entirely out of edible chocolate. How about that! Save a choco-tentacle for me, chef.

The sculpture includes a giant anchor and chain (also made entirely of chocolate) that the squid appears to be tugging, presumably pulling an unfortunate ship down to Davy Jones’ locker. Definitely not how I want to go – I’d much rather drown trying to drink my way out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate river.

Equally as impressive as the sculpture are those chocolate machines Amaury uses that appear to dispense liquid chocolate with just the push of a button. I don’t know about you, but I need one of those. And if you think I didn’t just haul my refrigerator to the curb so I can install one in its place, well, you’ve seriously underestimated my sweet teeth. That’s right, not just one – they’re ALL sweet.

[via Laughing Squid]

Carving and Build a Kinetic Whale Sculpture: A Whale of a Good Time

Have you always dreamed of building your own wooden whale kinetic sculpture? Who hasn’t? It’s one of the dreams that unifies humanity. And thankfully, photographer and artist Sylvain Gautier documented the process in which he built this particular model, so you can follow along and build your own. Or fail horribly and wind up with a bunch of blood-stained kindling as I did.

There’s a six-and-a-half-minute short version of the build video (above) for those of you with some existing knowledge of carving and building who only need the basics to get started, but there’s also a 26-minute extended version (below) for those of you who need their hand held a little more. Honestly, I don’t even think a six-hour version could have helped me.

I absolutely adore stuff like this – I’m a huge fan of whimsy. As an added bonus, Sylvain created a 10-hour looping video (below) of him cranking the sculpture and the whale swimming. So relaxing. I’m four hours in, and it just keeps getting better and better.

[via GeeksAreSexy]