DESIGN /
FEATURES
July 30, 2015
2015 Milan Salone Latest Report | Catellani & Smith
Catellani&Smith
Euroluce International Lighting Exhibition 2015
The Owner-Designer Discusses the Future of Light
Catellani&Smith's products are designed not only for their form, but for the light they emit. They are less like lighting fixtures and more like art pieces of light. The soul of this Italian brand, which stands out particularly among its peers, is embodied by its owner-designer, Enzo Catellani, often called the "artist of light." His exclusive interview was filled with a deep love for light.
Text by YUDA Takeshi (TOL STUDIO INC.)
Masterpieces Born from an Artist of Light
Located about a 15-minute drive from the heart of Milan is the "Casa della Luce" (House of Light). This has been a sacred space for Catellani&Smith for years, where they have held installations.
This year's installation expressed "past, present, and future." The entrance featured masterpieces from the past and artistic works. Pieces like a bowl-shaped shade with water flowing inside, illuminating the light, and a unique work where a large lamp produced small lights through a mincing machine, invited visitors into the world of Catellani&Smith.
The space representing the "present" showcased the company's main products, including the "Chapeau" lighting made of Japanese paper. This piece is dedicated to Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese artist whom Enzo deeply admires, and out of respect for him, it is not for sale. Beside the "Coca Cola Light," created in response to an offer from Coca Cola, moving further upstairs leads to the "future" floor.
In the "future" exhibition space, micro-LEDs create a delicate and mystical world of light. Beautiful shadows unfolded within the room, enveloped by a silence so profound that one hesitated to even speak. Moving further in, prototypes were displayed. It was here that we had the opportunity to speak with Enzo Catellani.
A New "Light" Encountered During a Trip to India
Standing before a prototype, Enzo Catellani shared, "To convey the value of light, I created this as simply and geometrically as possible." He explained that the source of this light, which resonates deeply with viewers, sometimes even bringing them to tears, lies in his constant contemplation of how materials and light interact. "I'm always thinking about how materials and light intersect. When an idea strikes, I create a prototype immediately."
During our conversation, when the topic of fluorescent lighting arose, he spoke with a slightly strained expression: "Excessively bright light has destroyed the culture of human-made light. Light, in its essence, subtly influences our spirit and our bodies. Our ancestors understood this well and coexisted with light..."
Enzo Catellani
Conversely, when discussing this year's installation, his expression softened as he recounted, "During a trip to India, I encountered a stone called a 'lingam.' The moment I shone an LED light onto it, an indescribably beautiful light spread across the entire ceiling. Technology's light met a material created by nature, birthing a light beyond imagination." He was describing the work that represented the "future."
Enzo Catellani expresses a fondness for the Japanese sensibility towards light. He even has a piece called "WA (Harmony)." The Japanese aesthetic, derived from the light of candles and washi paper, may be one of the philosophies guiding his current and future creations. We eagerly await the day when his works can be seen in greater numbers in Japan.
Luminabella Tokyo Showroom
Tokyo Design Center 4F, 5-25-19 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5793-5931
http://www.luminabella.jp/