Adam Hoets, founder and creative director of bespoke lighting makers willowlamp, talks us through the design process of his Stalactite art piece chandelier.

THE IDEA

I’ve always been fascinated by stalactites – ancient, slow-growing formations that become complex, beautiful structures. It’s hard to believe that something so striking just spontaneously creates itself without a guiding hand. They are beguiling, magical and totally enchanting. But it wasn’t until I visited the Cango Caves that I felt the spark of creativity ignite – and an idea was born.

“What is interesting to me about our interpretation of these natural wonders is not just their shape, or the form of the tapering and dripping inverted fairy castles.

I was captivated by their intricate convolutions, as well as the folded, pleated surfaces and textures they created. The rippling striations are formed by lime being deposited in water droplets under the pull of gravity. I set about finding a way to recreate this process – albeit in a much shorter time frame! – using our signature ball chain, which also relies on gravity to hang and to give it form. I feel that this art piece captures the essence of the natural structures that inspired it, abstractly yet perfectly.”

CREATIVE METHODOLOGY

“I don’t have a single creative methodology – rather, I design the process to fit the subject matter and what’s being created. But I do have several themes and tools that I have studied, refined and perfected. For one, I’m a trained architect, and my years of study and experience have taught me a lot about how
to think as a designer.

“One potent tool in my arsenal is an almost obsessive understanding of sacred geometry, which I discovered at a formative age – long before it became mainstream. This, to me, represents nature in its purest form; a kind of template upon which nature and reality are built. I distil natural forms to their perfect abstracted essence, through the expression of the underlying geometry. This is a powerful generator of form – but it is just one of my influences and processes. Sometimes my work can also be quite literal, or filled with humour. Life, art and design do not always need to take themselves so seriously.”

THE AESTHETIC

“The aesthetic of willowlamp can be slightly elusive and enigmatic. This is because you have these industrial materials and processes – like sheet metal and laser cutting – that you would usually associate with a machine-made aesthetic, yet the designs are hand- assembled, and therefore feel quite delicate. I think this contrast creates an interesting tension. Another quality, one that you can only really experience in the flesh, is ‘aliveness’. The hanging metal chain curtains respond subtly to currents of air within a space, so these lights are not hard, static objects but ones that ‘live’ in an endless dance of light, shadow and movement. This creates magic and drama in a space, bringing it to life.”

ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS

“What you see all too often with fledgling and aspiring lighting designers is that they have an idea for a funky or interesting-looking lampshade, but their solution to the lighting aspect is to put a bulb inside it and call it a day. It’s not enough just to have an idea; you must execute that idea perfectly in every way, and consider every detail and aspect of your design.

We spent many years searching for the best lighting components and systems around the world, before carefully considering how to integrate these into our designs in a harmonious and considered manner.

“To compete globally today, one thing above all must be sacred – and that is quality. That means using the very best materials in accordance with the highest standards of engineering and manufacturing. It also means that you must always consider the social and environmental impact of what you create. As designers, we have a responsibility to use nature’s resources in a sustainable way. To me, that means creating durable products that are timeless and made to last, and that will not be discarded because of changes in fashion.”

WHAT’S NEXT

“After nearly 20 years, we’ve built up a substantial permanent collection of designs, all of which come in various sizes and finishes and are endlessly customisable. But this collection is pretty much complete. The brand identity is pure, and built around the fact that everything is made from the same materials. It would be a mistake to suddenly add new designs made from other materials, such as wood, for example. It just doesn’t fit; it would be alien and weird. What’s so beautiful about willowlamp is that such a simple idea can lead to such a variety of shapes and forms – that is enough on its own.

“For me as a creative individual and a designer, this presents a challenge. How do I satisfy my creative itch and curiosity? How do I remain inspired?

“Luckily, in recent years, we have been approached by some prestigious design companies, mostly from abroad, to create custom, one-off, monumental-scale installations. This offers a whole new direction for the willowlamp brand – a new journey, and an area in which we can grow.

“But I do occasionally design a new piece to add to our permanent collection. It just has to be a damn good idea in order for me to be convinced that we have to do it despite having too many designs already. The Stalactite chandelier is one such piece – I simply couldn’t help myself!

“Also in the pipeline, but not officially launched yet, is an idea we have for artworks, Line Art & Word Art. More graphic and bold in nature, these works are a slight departure from the willowlamp aesthetic seen in our lighting collection – but they remain true to our materials and methodology. Watch this space for more on this exciting evolution!” | willowlamp.com

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Willowlamp’s theatrical ceiling installation shines at Cathédrale restaurant in Las Vegas.

Willowlamp, the award-winning South African bespoke lighting design company led by founder and creative director Adam Hoets, has crafted two spectacular theatrical lighting installations for Cathédrale, the newest restaurant in Las Vegas. Commissioned by the Rockwell Group, these awe-inspiring creations adorn Tao’s latest culinary venture, which opened its doors on 1 May 2023.

Willowlamp was tasked with reimagining the design intent of the original restaurant (based in East Village, New York) for the newest addition’s ceiling. Hoets drew inspiration from Italian artist Eduardo Tresoldi’s wire-mesh ceiling installation, which served as a key reference in the original design.

The Fillmore East, a Yiddish theatre built in the 1920s served as the initial inspiration behind the flagship restaurant. It was eventually turned into a concert hall dubbed ‘the Church of Rock and Roll’ that hosted acts like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

This idea of a theatrical rock venue inside a glamorous church was another of the driving themes that informed Hoets’s design: “Because of the strong architectural references, in particular the forms within a cathedral, I set about studying the geometries, references and motifs used in the design of cathedrals,“ he explains. “I then extracted and developed the perfect architectonic language and framework for the project. This is why you feel as though you are immersed within an abstract construct of a cathedral.“

The exquisite installation wows visitors upon entry into the restaurant’s dining room, where the first of the two beaded chain canopies hang. This remarkable piece is crafted from a staggering 40 kilometres of chain, weighing nearly 3 000 kilograms. A second installation gracefully hovers above the bar, adorned with a staggering 22 000 chains.

Gigantic pieces like this usually take up to two years to complete, but the Willowlamp team managed to accomplish the massive task in only eight months. The two colossal installations are a testament to Hoets’s architectural background, empowering the multifaceted designer to execute the creation of structures that rival the glorious cathedrals that informed them.

The installations in Cathédrale are one of Willowlamp’s many once-off creations that adorn residential and hospitality spaces across the globe.

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From a new custom willowlamp chandelier and a collaborative artwork by Dayfeels and Xee Summer to a non-alcoholic summer drink, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 357 .

1. Dayfeels X Xee Summer Collaboration

Cape Town-based artists Dayfeels and Xee Summer have joined forces to create a special limited run of the Dayfeels piece entitled Thinking about sleeping while trying to sleep, to which Xee Summer has added a range of bright colours. There are 20 A1 prints available, at R2 800 each, printed on Felix Schoeller True Rag Etching Paper. DM to order.

Images courtesy of Dayfeels and Xee Summer

2. Pierre Le Riche X Signatura Collaboration at WEX1

Local property developer Signatura has collaborated with South African artist Pierre Le Riche on a series of four colourful installations in and around the pods at WEX1 in Woodstock. Both the interior and exterior installations are made up of a 14-colour gradient, which for Pierre, “seems to vibrate in both colour and thread tension.”

Images and video courtesy of Signatura

3. Fluère Non-alcoholic Distilled Spirit

Steam-distilled botanical drink Fluère offers a sophisticated alternative to regular drinks and sodas, featuring seeds from Casablanca Coriander, Sugar Cane Molasses from Dominican Republic, Juniper Berries from the Himalayas, Lavender from Provence and Mediterranean Lemon Peel. The non-alcoholic spirit is available in three different variants – Original, Spiced Cane and Raspberry, and can be bought through local premium drinks brand Truman & Orange.

Images courtesy of Fluère

4. New Custom willowlamp Chandelier

Award-winning local lighting design studio willowlamp, headed up by Creative Director Adam Hoets, was commissioned to create a monumental chandelier for the new Marriot Hotel in Virginia, USA, set to open in 2021. “The piece is based on the original version of our very first Mandala design, which we did for Liwa Suites in the UAE, which was commissioned by Jan Lewis of Design Union,” says Adam. The 26 cubic-metre chandelier weighs over a tonne and will feature as a statement, fully functional light source made up of no more than 31 LED lamps.

Images courtesy of willowlamp

5. Keith Vlahakis Creates Mural for Old Khaki

Lifestyle and clothing brand Old Khaki celebrated its 21st birthday by commissioning South African street artist Keith Vlahakis to create a mural on Cape Town’s Bree Street, using the brand DNA as inspiration. A second mural will follow in Johannesburg.

Image credit: Brandon Hinton, courtesy of Old Khaki

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From a 3D mural and an art-inspired collaboration between VANS and MoMA to a chrysalis-inspired chandelier, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 350.

1. Leon Keer’s Teacup Mural

Dutch street artist Leon Keer has created a 3D mural in Sweden, entitled Shattering, that collapses when scanned with your phone. This work is a comment on the fragility of life and the delicate balance between nature and ourselves. Augmented reality designer Joost Spek assisted Leon with the technological aspects of the design, making it an interactive experience for both the creators and spectators.

Image credit: Leon Keer via mymodernmet.com / Video via leonkeer on YouTube

2. willowlamp Cocoon Light

Award-winning local lighting design studio willowlamp’s latest chandelier, the Cocoon, is an evolution of the brand’s existing Pod pendant lamps, featuring a wider chrysalis-inspired basket in a horizontal chandelier form. “There is something quite powerful and evocative about these forms which symbolise transformation and rebirth,” says willowlamp Founder and Creative Director Adam Hoets. “The simplicity of the form gives it a minimal feeling – sleek and elegant – and therein lies its beauty. A purity that is found in and inspired by nature.”

Images courtesy of willowlamp.com

3. Vans Collaborates With MoMA

Vans has collaborated with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) on a limited run of special-edition footwear and apparel, launching on 30 September. The collaborative collection highlights some of the museum’s most renowned artists. The initial range will include artwork by Salvador Dalí, Vasily Kandinsky and Claude Monet, followed by a second artist release later in the year, which will include Edvard Munch, Jackson Pollock and Lybov Popova.

Images courtesy of Vans

4. Mo’s Crib Collaborates With Woolworths

Woolworths has teamed up with local home decor brand Mo’s Crib, headed up by Pretoria-based sister duo Morongwe ‘Mo’ and Michelle Mokone, on a range of sustainable woven baskets and planters. Suitable for use inside and outdoors, the collection is hand-made using natural fibres from ilala palm leaves. The grass woven range is available in a variety of sizes and includes options with or without handles and lids.

Images courtesy of Woolworths

5. Petoi’s Robotic Dog

Petoi Bittle is a small, palm-sized robotic dog (we previously featured Nybble, a robotic cat) that is assembled from a series of pieces and programmed with downloadable GitHub demo codes. Teach your robodog tricks to win prizes and rank up during community challenges, using Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi or AI chips to inspire its animal-like movements and actions. Find out more about the Petoi Bittle on Kickstarter here.

Images via Petoi / Video via Rongzhong Li on YouTube

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From a local online market and a new Converse sneaker collab with Japanese designer Takahiro Miyashita to reusable coffee cups and a new lighting design from local studio willowlamp, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 324.

1. KAMERS Goes Online

KAMERS will be taking its Cape Town market online this year, allowing you to shop for local products and designs from home. The online market will be running from 26 – 29 March 2020.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B94PI1lA7qB/

Images and styling: Charl du Preez and Nicky Myburgh / @kamersvol on Instagram

2. Converse X TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. CX Disrupt

Converse has teamed up with Japanese designer Takahiro Miyashita on a new sneaker, which fuses the designer’s love for Americana and rock. The limited-edition sneaker is made with a state-of-the-art foam phylon midsole and a new stretch canvas designed to move with your foot. The CX Disrupt is available online at converse.co.za and via Shelflife.

Images courtesy of Converse

3. Wanderland Reusable Coffee Cups

Wanderland and Ecoffee Cup have collaborated on a range of four reusable cups featuring patterns created by three South African artists, namely Nicole Levenberg (Aureum), Faatimah Mohamed-Luke and Zinhle Zulu (Zhi Zulu).

Faatimah Mohamed-Luke

Nicole Levenberg (Aureum)

Zinhle Zulu (Zhi Zulu)

Nicole Levenberg (Aureum)

Images courtesy of Wanderland

4. Radial from willowlamp

Local lighting design studio willowlamp has launched the Radial chandelier, a design that stems from the brand’s Lineal light, while simultaneously drawing on the natural world. ‘The Radial refers to the eternal, cyclic ring of life,” says founder and creative director Adam Hoets.

Images courtesy of willowlamp

5. Block & Chisel’s Joburg Showroom

Furniture stalwarts Block & Chisel have opened a showroom in Joburg’s Parkwood. The space offers an engaging shopping experience in an airy barn-like setting, with decor experts ready to assist with home furnishing needs.

Images courtesy of Block & Chisel

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From a local building in the running for an international award and erasers that reveal Mount Fuji to a Scandi-inspired speaker lantern and willowlamp’s latest pendant chandelier, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 318.

1. Nominate 78 Corlett for an Archdaily Award

78 Corlett in Johannesburg has been nominated as a candidate for international website Archdaily’s Building of the Year Award 2020. Designed and built by Daffonchio & Associates Architects, the office space features an impressive exterior that highlights linear design and plays with light.

You can nominate 78 on Corlett here.

Image credit: Adam Letch, courtesy of Daffonchio & Associates Architects

2. willowlamp’s Secret Love Clover

Creative Director and willowlamp founder Adam Hoets’ latest creation is a pendant lamp that pays tribute to the lucky four-leaf clover. The pendant is available in a variety of colours and finishes, including silver, smoke, copper, brass, rust, black, white and red.

Images courtesy of willowlamp

3. Mount Fuji Eraser

Japanese brand PLUS Stationery has created adorable erasers that reveal the snow-capped peaks of Mount Fuji as you use them, shaping the heads of the mountains as you correct mistakes.

Images via mymodernmet.com

4. Mooni Speaker Lantern

Using Scandi design principles, this Mooni lantern creates both a visual and auditory ambience when entertaining or relaxing at home. The state-of-the-art bluetooth speaker offers impeccable sound quality, while the soft lantern provides a variety of lighting colour choices to suit your setting. Available locally at Eurolux.

Images courtesy of Eurolux

5. Mungo’s Kids of Kurland Kikoi

Local textile brand Mungo is donating all the proceeds from the sale of this cotton kikoi, designed by school-goer Alwynia Simon, to fund the employment of a new teacher at Crags Primary School. The kikoi retails at R375 and is available online and in store.

Images courtesy of Mungo

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 From large monochrome murals and a majestic chandelier by local lighting design studio willowlamp to a book on Soviet underground stations and trendy wall shelves, these are the top VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 306.

1. MonkeyBird’s Murals

The secret Bordeaux-based team that makes up MonkeyBird create giant murals in black and white. Their subject matter depicts mythological animals done in a cross-contour style with gold accents.

Image credit: MonkeyBird via thisiscolossal.com

2. New Chandelier From willowlamp

Adam Hoets, founder and designer of local lighting design studio willowlamp, draws on sacred geometry and nature when creating his intricate chandeliers. willowlamp’s latest lamp, the Crystal Mandala, is inspired by the brand’s original Mandala design.

Images courtesy of willowlamp

3. Cécile & Boyd Launch Candle

Interior design and creative direction studio Cécile & Boyd’s new hand-crafted scented candle features a beautiful frangipani fragrance and a long burn time. It is available to purchase online and at the brand’s Durban and Cape Town shops.

Images courtesy of cecileandboyds.com

4. Christopher Herwig’s Soviet Metro Stations

After documenting 15 cities in seven countries and taking over 15 000 photographs, photographer Christopher Herwig has now released a new book that showcases the astounding, diverse architecture of underground metro stations in the former U.S.S.R.

Image credit: Christopher Herwig

5. Etage by destroyers/builders

Linde Freya Tangelder of destroyers/builders created her Etage pieces by drawing inspiration from Danish architect Per Kirkby and the project “House V_H” by Belgian agency Dhoore Vanweert. The shelves are available in three different sizes and materials, including brass, aluminium, ash and oak.

Images courtesy of destroyersbuilders.com

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From a colourful basketball court with a message and the interiors of a new restaurant in the Big Apple to locally designed lighting and a public sculpture, these are top VISI picks of the week series – week 293.

1. Balance Basketball Court Painting by AKACORLEONE

Portuguese artist AKACORLEONE, in partnership with Underdogs Gallery, has transformed a basketball court in Lisbon into a colourful work of art. Entitled Balance, the piece aims to emphasise unity and the importance of different points of view.

Images via akacorleone.com / Video via Under-Dogs.net on YouTube

2. willowlamp’s Lineal Light

The latest release from award-winning local lighting studio willowlamp is the Lineal, a design that for Creative Director and founder Adam Hoets, is an ode to the formality and purity of modern lines. The design, which combines a series of chrome chain and LEDs, is inspired by old-fashioned office lights.

Images courtesy of willowlamp

3. WAYAN by Rockwell Group

Architecture and design studio Rockwell Group is behind the design of Wayan, a new French Indonesian restaurant located in New York City. The interiors feature a combination of oxidised copper detailing, rustic teak panels, amber glass and authentic carved pieces.

Image credit: Emily Andrews, courtesy of Rockwell Group

4. Public Sculpture by David Brits

Located at the new Aerobiology TB Research Facility at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Masiphumelele is a newly unveiled sculpture by multidisciplinary artist David Brits. Entitled Ouroboros (Red Edge), the sculpture features a series of curves reminiscent of the AIDS ribbon and the double-helix structure of DNA. It’s the artist’s first public sculpture.

Images courtesy of David Brits Studio

5. New From Iltoro

Local furniture brand Iltoro Design has added a coat rail to its home accessories range. Entitled Jean, the rail features six mild steel hooks in various sizes, available in both black and white.

Images courtesy of Iltoro

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Natural Inspiration

A pervading theme was the influence of nature on the designs. From fanciful flowers to more obscure references, the natural world serves as inspiration. Nemo launched a powerful LED task light called Bird, which balances on the edge of a surface. “It is for small desks where you don’t want big bases taking up room,” explains Federico Palazzari, CEO of Nemo. The Madre lamp for Foscarini also captured this whimsical ode to nature with its charming blossom vase concept.

Bird by Nemo

Less is More

On the flipside, forms have simultaneously become strikingly simple, distilled down to the barest essentials. LED comes into play here, its easy application allowing for more versatile and out-of-the-box designs. Brands like Artemide showed just how pared back you can go with its La Linea light, while the Wireline by Formafantasma for Flos is an elegant curvilinear solution, using a combination of hard and soft elements. “The lamp plays on the contrast between the industrial feeling of the rubber and the sophistication of glass,” says Andrea Trimarchi of Formafantasma.

La Linea by Artemide

Wireline by Formafantasma for Flos

Past Glass

There is a big return to handblown and crafted glass designs – whether nostalgic and retro (think Mid-century-inspired spheres) or highly decorative. The Marcel Wanders Adonis collection for Barovier & Toso is everything about this move back to craft and a celebration of the ornate rolled into one. Inspired by the Dutch floral tradition, with these forms channeled through Murano glass making, the collection shows a modern interpretation of a traditional technique.

Marcel Wanders Adonis collection for Barovier & Toso

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Award-winning local lighting design studio willowlamp has released The Halo, a chandelier inspired by the work of Spanish modernist architect Antoni Gaudí.

Blurring the lines between functional lighting and art, The Halo is a statement piece, whose signature shape is inspired by the architectural lines and Neo-Gothic arches of Gaudí’s Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona.

Adam Hoets, Creative Director at willowlamp, used Gaudí’s chain method as a starting point for his latest creation. Adam draws on many architectural methods in his work after training and practicing as an architect before willowlamp’s establishment.

“I initially had some sort of Gothic-looking cathedral design with multiple spires in mind,” Adam explains. He then rotated a foundational chain shape approximately 128 times. “It resembles more of a futuristic teleportation device than a Neo-Gothic cathedral, but nevertheless that’s where the idea first came from.”

For more information, visit willowlamp.com.

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