Warmth, joy, and wonder. From descriptive language to physical products, concepts in light remain intrinsic to man’s emotional expression with the luminary, in its various artifactual forms, captivating global audiences through today. This year’s Euroluce – a biennial exhibition exploring the evolution of lighting design, presented as part of Salone del Mobile in Milan – saw a tremendous amount of product pushing the limits of technology, artistry, and craft. But it should come as no surprise that the most memorable displays demonstrated the ingenious applications of time-honored traditions in contemplative ways, a stark contrast to the surrounding theater.
Fresh from its debut at the international showcase, Cascade – a new lighting collection designed by the prolific British creative Lee Broom for Lladró, an artistic porcelain brand – challenges traditional ceramic craftsmanship while leveraging its makers’ material acuity to execute a contemporary vision rooted in the ritual of celebration.
Broom’s earliest inkling of a scheme concerning performance came from full immersion into the trade while visiting Lladró’s factory in the “City of Porcelain”, a small town outside of València, Spain, where artisans shepherded him through the delicate process. “In its raw state, porcelain is unpredictable, and creating precise geometric forms requires a deep knowledge of the material,” Broom shares. “This experience allowed me to push the boundaries of what was possible while maintaining the integrity of the craftsmanship, which was essential in overcoming any challenges and realizing the design I envisioned. The process has definitely expanded my perspective on materials and the possibilities of working with porcelain in new ways.”
Porcelain proves to be the latest loom with which Broom weaves the lantern’s romantic history between conceptual threads regarding opacity and transparency – in this context bound by the material prowess of Lladró’s many makers.
The fully realized collection comprises three primary porcelain pendant lamp silhouettes: two orbs in various scales with a distinct horizontal break between hemispheres; and a tubular element aligned vertically. Made to order, a fine black cord bolstered for structure links custom, cascading configurations with great intention, articulating narrative-driven connections that reference traditional lanterns often strung together. Additionally, the grouping includes a portable table lamp variation, enhancing the series’ overall versatility and decorative potential.
Broom’s theatrical sensibilities shine through in Cascade’s dual personality. When switched off, each globe presents itself as opaque, seemingly solid in a classic, pure white form. Once illuminated, the vessels come to life, reconstituted in a way that defies preconceived notions of porcelain’s performance. The fixtures’ second act is highly engineered, the result of production methods that pair a thin layer of material with multiple LED-configurations to achieve the desired luminosity.
“For me, the collection came together when I achieved exactly what I had envisioned; porcelain that appears crisp and white when unlit but transforms into a warm amber glow when illuminated,” he adds. “Much like candle lit lanterns, evoking an emotional response and bringing that sense of joy as lanterns do at commemorative events.”
Lee Broom
To stay tuned for the Cascade collection’s official store launch, visit leebroom.com and lladro.com.
Photography courtesy of Lladró.
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