If we are talking about scroll work, cascading tendrils, and designs inspired by crystal chandeliers, we cannot forget the work of Tord Boontje. Although a tad overexposed by the mass roll out of his lighting products at Target in 2006 for their 'Christmas experience,' which in turn triggered Tord-style tendril graphics to be in every ad and branding campaign this side of the Pecos, including perhaps those on the Gen Art site which started this whole cascade of chandelier posts, Tord Boontje is still the original innovator with a valuable contribution, whose designs must be recognized. (Perhaps that last sentence does not ring true for you. I have different perspective on mass design. We can talk about that in the comments section.)
Pictured above are two of Boontje's cascading tendril chandeliers which I like. The Garland Light is a DIY modern-day chandelier which includes a naked bulb on a hanging cord and a long garland of etched metal flowers which the owner can fashion and refashion as (s)he wishes. Options and customization! How very now.
The Midsummer Light is a clever take on another familiar form, the silhouette. (Need I discuss here again my undying attraction to the silhouette? I think not, for now.) This piece is less DIY, but just as modern-day, with a naked bulb on a hanging cord blanketed with layered Tyvek paper cut-outs of cheerful flowers, leaves and tendrils. If you can trace back in your mind to the moment you first saw these pieces in exclusive design boutiques, you will remember that you once thought that they were totally new and exciting. They still are great innovations and inspired takes on the chandelier.
On Tord Boontje's 2006 collaboration with Target:
Boontje designed 35 products as well as packaging and graphic design to be used in all of Target's Christmas catalogues, store graphics and 'environments,' outdoor public displays and television ads. Boontje also worked directly on the art direction for the catalog photography and the 5 television ads.
Pictured above are two of Boontje's cascading tendril chandeliers which I like. The Garland Light is a DIY modern-day chandelier which includes a naked bulb on a hanging cord and a long garland of etched metal flowers which the owner can fashion and refashion as (s)he wishes. Options and customization! How very now.
The Midsummer Light is a clever take on another familiar form, the silhouette. (Need I discuss here again my undying attraction to the silhouette? I think not, for now.) This piece is less DIY, but just as modern-day, with a naked bulb on a hanging cord blanketed with layered Tyvek paper cut-outs of cheerful flowers, leaves and tendrils. If you can trace back in your mind to the moment you first saw these pieces in exclusive design boutiques, you will remember that you once thought that they were totally new and exciting. They still are great innovations and inspired takes on the chandelier.
On Tord Boontje's 2006 collaboration with Target:
Boontje designed 35 products as well as packaging and graphic design to be used in all of Target's Christmas catalogues, store graphics and 'environments,' outdoor public displays and television ads. Boontje also worked directly on the art direction for the catalog photography and the 5 television ads.
Labels: chandeliers, garland light, midsummer light, silhouettes, tord boontje
4 Comments:
Let me start the comments rolling here by saying that I love affordable design, and have no problem with high design being 'made available' to more markets and end users. But there are limits. If the product has such a high-profile connection with a big box store like Target, it can hurt perceived 'product value' for a time.
I loved last years Christmas at Target. I figure the more good design out there the more people will learn to appreciate it and reject bad design. The only problem of course, is that the materials are often poor quality and good design in ratty condition seems like a betrayal. Almost like the consumer has been hoodwinked into thinking that they can have the nice stuff too, but then it falls apart.
That is exactly the thing: the retranslation for the mass market where the quality is sacrificed. That is the part that bothers me. People then come to devalue everything, and put all design on one plane. I think that maintaining the quality and the integrity of the design is the most important thing. I tried on the pieces by Karl Lagerfeld at H&M way back when, and while the cuts were similar to Karl's, they were ill- fitting. The great thing about designer clothes is the fit! Not the label. Everyone is too willing to sell their name these days.
Thanks for your comment!
I adooooreee Tord Boontje's whimsical, fun designs. Check out his coffee book. You can take the very pretty garland light in silver AND gold and combine them together to make it look extra purty.
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