Latest trend of light fixtures adds art to functionality

Metal tubes twist in sinuous shapes with bare filament bulbs at its ends; hardened fabric in ivory hue form wing-like structures, half hiding the light, even as it lights up the corner of the room; a light hides in a shower of bronze spikes that resemble rainfall; large domed lamps in innocuous shapes belie the fact that they are made from concrete waste. These were just a few of the arresting statement designer lamps displayed at the Lightness exhibit in Mumbai's Transforme store.

While these are far from the ornate chandeliers of yore, each piece is like a work of art in itself, whether this comes across in the use of material, or the concepts behind the works. The pièce de résistance, according to store manager Kishor Chawda, is the Copper Rain piece by Samira Rathod of Big Piano, which takes inspiration from the lashing rain, wind chimes, and surprisingly, a broomstick. "I made use of copper instead of simple steel, since it forms a patina when it gets older as opposed to other metals," she explains. The lamp, according to her, can be displayed as the centrepiece of a home, or even hung out on the balcony, to catch the breeze so that the wires clang together like wind chimes.

The only limit is ones own imagination, according to Jenny Pinto of Oorja, who says that the time is ripe for designers and artists to experiment with their ideas. "We're living in a time where people want to beautify their houses, and compare them with global standards thanks to the Internet," she elaborates. And, with increase in demand, is an increase in the demand for variety. "If you can make it, there's going to be someone or the other who likes it," shrugs Pinto. Her own pieces follows Oorja's sustainable material policy and show how upcycling can turn trash into luxury products. Using concrete waste, agricultural waste, such as paper made from banana trees, and fibre, she weaves together exquisite lighting fixtures.

Vaishali S is another artist, who has used textiles, fabric cords and copper wire to weave together her vision of the cycle of life and death. Lights bloom at the centre of her flower-bulb shaped shades, or peer out from spirals of ivory cords, symbolising blooming life. "The inspiration comes from nature, where a dead log in the forest becomes a thriving ecosystem for lifeforms," she explains.

A complete contrast is Ajji, which stands out with its bold and sensuous designs in steel and bright colours. Founder, actor and artist Lekha Washington has made use of light-weight steel to create pieces that give a sense of fluidity. A spider-shaped lamp for a dining table complements a floor lamp with curling arms. Washington seeks to create drama and succeeds with these pieces.

When designing a piece that ultimately must find some use in a household, the trick is to find the right balance between beauty and functionality, says Rathod. "It depends on what the piece is going to be used as," she explains.

"If I'm making a reading lamp, I am going to concentrate more on functionality than beauty. But now, you have so much that you can do around mood lighting, and in such cases, your pieces can be treated simply as a work of art."