Color impacts so much of our lives, much more than we usually give it credit for. Psychological and energetic impact aside, the effect is also emotional – we are not above our wiring, however evolved we might seem. studio Thier & van Daalen explore these concepts in the BLOOM wall light collection, an exploration in color chiefly inspired by the dappled beauty of sunlight on flower petals. What begins as a delicate glass sphere is gently transformed into a wide, luminous disc, turning the surface into a stage for shifting bouquets of abstract color. Ephemeral, meditative, and unique, each wash of color, distinct in its path and transparency, decorates the glass-blown rondel-shaped lights. A aura of light illuminates from the back, throwing opacity and hue into stark relief. Just as much a piece of beauty on or off, the elegant reflections created by the transparency are one of a kind, no two exactly the same.
Biomimicry is a powerful tool in design, translating principles we find in the wild into tenets of furniture, lighting, and architecture, to name a small few. Nature teaches us that incredible beauty can be found within the mundane, a scant bit of sun on a fleeting petal – a moment frozen in time, never to be experienced the same way again. BLOOM is this moment encapsulated, the warmth and glow of the light coalescing with the hues of the glass.
Blown by hand in Leerdam, Netherlands, these lights exemplify the truest outcome of the form. Unencumbered by the rigidity of perfection, these lights revel in the singularity of the work – each one is uniquely composed, coaxed into shape by expert hands crafting molten material. Glassblowing offers a humane element that industrial firing simply cannot bring: we know what’s made by hands that look like ours and what isn’t.
Iris van Daalen & Ruben Thier lead their studio, established in 2011, around a singular principle: “Don’t take the world for granted.” This shows through clearly in their material use, thoughtful production methods, and commitment to experimentation – progress is nothing without trial, which by nature involves a bit of error. Unafraid of a challenge, they work well within interactions between materials, bringing harmony and cohesion to a space.
Ruben Thier and Iris van Daalen of studio Thier & van Daalen
To learn more about the BLOOM wall lights by studio Thier & van Daalen, please visit thiervandaalen.com.
Photography by Pim Top.
