atelier rick tegelaar layers meshmatics chandelier for dutch design week

atelier rick tegelaar layers meshmatics chandelier for dutch design week
photo by masha bakker

undervalued materials such as wire mesh and waste wood mark particular favorites of dutch designer rick tegelaar. within the context of lighting design, tegelaar re-examines these otherwise humble mediums, finding new applications, forms, qualities and aesthetics in their use. from october 18th – 26th, 2014, his studio presents the ‘meshmatics chandelier’ for dutch design week 2014. together with klaas kuiken and joris de groot, tegelaar forms part of the collaborative ‘workmates‘, presenting itself this year at the temporary art centre, (TAC) eindhoven.

the ‘meshmatics chandelier’ is the latest addition to the collection and is based on the same forming technique as prior models — previously featured on designboom — comprising closed and open hanging variations, along with a floor lamp. for the chandelier, an integrated LED shines upward to illuminate the three layers of formed chicken wire, allowing the mesh to work as a reflector to spread light throughout the room and casting an elaborate web of shadows on the ceiling. like a radioator, the mesh also helps to keep the LED light source cool.

a brief video on how meshmatics lamps are made by atelier rick tegelaar
video courtesy of rick tegelaar

tegelaar often develops new machines, tools and techniques for each new project, allowing him to retrieve new properties from a given material. working with a material in different ways, using different methods creates a new aesthetic as well. ‘I developed a machine and a set of tools that enable me to form chicken wire very controlled and accurately.’ tegelaar describes ‘by stretching the material over a mold it shrinks itself to the form and takes its shape. the tension that comes into the material from stretching stays captured to form a very efficient structure. the lamps are covered with a layer of bamboo paper. this paper expands when moistened because of it’s long fibers. when the paper dries over the mesh shapes, it wraps them tightly and contributes to the structure of the lamp. in this way two very simple materials work together very well. all the lamps are functional lamps. no objects with bulbs attached, they direct the light and make it soft and warm when needed. the bamboo paper diffuses the light and makes even the most terrible energy saving bulb pleasant to have around.’

an integrated LED shines upward to illuminate the three layers of formed chicken wire
photo by JW kaldenbach