nacho carbonell debuts functional fairy-tale lamps in 'forest' exhibition

spanish artist nacho carbonell has debuted his latest series of unconventional lamp sculptures that will be exhibited at the carpenters workshop gallery in marais, paris, this fall. the series sees carbonell continue his investigations into the relationship between form and function in a range of playful and hugely tactile pieces that represent a combination of his previous ‘cocoon’ series and captivating new works. 

the unconventional lamps are to be exhibited at the carpenters workshop gallery in paris this fall

entitled ‘forest’, the exhibition is comprised of a range of nacho carbonell’s work, defined by his iconic ‘fairy-tale’ combination of functional lamps and living, organic sculpture. the series includes new works such as his ‘floor lamp concrete base’ range, which sees the artist produce a unique form of plaster — invented by carbonell — used in conjunction with sand and textile hardener that is then wrapped around a steel frame. 

entitled ‘forest’, the exhibition is comprised of a range of nacho carbonell’s work

the result is a collection of otherworldly, enchanting sculptures that deftly straddle the worlds of art and design. loosely structured sand-coloured mesh forms a translucent cocoon around the bulbs, allowing the light to diffuse outwards in a warm and ethereal glow. varying greatly in size and shape (the larger pieces reach an impressive height of over two metres), the sculptures suggest a naturally formed framed that has been repurposed for domestic use. the range also include four hybrid pieces entitled ‘table cocoons’ which act as both a lamp and small table, encapsulating the playful and idiosyncratic essence of the artist’s style.

the pieces are defined by his iconic ‘fairy-tale’ combination of functional lamps and living, organic sculpture

‘I like to see objects as living organisms, imagining them coming alive and being able to surprise you with their behaviour,’ says carbonell of the pieces. ‘I want to create objects with my hands, then I can give them my personality. I turn them into communicative objects that can arouse one’s sensations and imagination. in short, what I want to create are objects with a fictional or fantasy element, that allow you to escape from everyday life.’

‘forest’ will run at the carpenters workshop gallery in paris from the 20th of october to the 17th of december, 2016.

the series sees carbonell continue his investigations into the relationship between form and function

his ‘floor lamp concrete base’ range sees the artist produce a unique form of plaster 

sand and textile hardener is mixed with plaster and wrapped around a steel frame

the result is collection of otherworldly, enchanting sculptures that deftly straddle the worlds of art and design

the sculptures suggest a naturally formed framed that has been repurposed for domestic use

the pieces vary greatly in size and shape (the larger pieces reach an impressive height of over two metres)

in some cases, the pieces form a charming hybrid of bench and lamp

the seemingly fragile canopy and branches are offset by a robust concrete base

the materials used generate both an aura of fragile evanescence and potent rigidity

the sculptures are equally at home in a domestic or gallery environment

nacho carbonell is based in eindhoven in the netherlands

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