Blown
Samuel Wilkinson uses traditional glass-blowing techniques and 3D CAD software for his new lamp
The newest creation from Samuel Wilkinson is Blown, a lamp for the Copenhagen-based design company &tradition. Aiming to explore the reflective and refractive properties of glass, Wilkinson drew his inspiration for Blown from older pieces. “I’ve looked at antique ceramics, old glass pieces, lenses from very old lamps, lighthouses—even a mirrored bottle—just to see the way the light reacts,” Wilkinson explains.
The lamp’s unique diamond pattern, which Wilkinson describes as “a cross between a large raspberry and a hot air balloon,” is imprinted from a metal mold that was reworked over and over in 3D computer-aided design software, until he found his ideal shape. Wilkinson’s previous Vessel series was blown rotationally, creating a smooth and symmetrical exterior over time. However, for a fixed-blown piece with a textured mold like that of Blown, the glass must be shaped perfectly from the start before being inserted into the metal rough cast casing—any mistake will end up in one side being thicker than the other, he says. Thus, traditional glass-blowing techniques are combined with a digitally rendered texture to create a timeless yet modern fixture.
Rather than have the glass completely encase the light in the beautiful, reflective pattern, a hole at the bottom of the lamp ensures downlight—blending function with beauty. Wilkinson created two versions of Blown, each having a different kind of feeling: a translucent, metallic lustre—which produces unique patterns and textures—and a sandblasted matte white for “quieter” environments requiring a more subdued statement.
For more information on Blown as well as previous projects, visit Wilkinson’s website.
Images courtesy Samuel Wilkinson
