Amarist Studio presents "Welcome?", a lamp evoking the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas of the Western world. A controversial piece that sparks conversation about the new border walls.
The refugee crisis, the Brexit, the future plans of the President of the United States to construct a wall along the Mexican border and ban the entry of visitors coming from several Muslim countries... these are some of the events that lately have tense the international political climate. Inspired by these matters, Amarist Studio formed by designers Clara Campo and Arán Lozano from Barcelona, have decided to create this resounding lamp titled "Welcome?".
The piece is composed of a large base of white Carrara marble. Its shape resembles the classic style of ancient Greece and Rome, the cradle of civilization and the foundation of intellectual Europe.
On top of the base sits the lamp diffuser, safeguarding the light source through a striking tangle of nº22 Razor Wire. The same model of razor wire was used to prevent Syrian refugees from crossing the borders of Serbia and Hungary. The razor wire has been Gold plated in 24K gold, conceptualizing the economic borders.
When the light is on, the diffuser projects a bewildering group of shadows, a dance of dark and long blades... This structure may prevent the light from being turned off... or perhaps replacing the bulb when it dies. Maybe it is just a representation of two worlds. The piece as a whole, base and diffuser, can therefore be read as a metaphor of the new border walls.
Creating this piece has been a hard process, both physically and psychologically, when manipulating the razor wire to build the diffuser we experienced the cruelty of the material on our skin, conveying to us the desperation of people fleeing their homeland.
More info: amarist.com
Sculptural "Welcome?" lamp by Amarist Studio
"Welcome?" lamp evokes the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas of the Western world
Its base is sculpted from a Carrara Marble block and the diffuser is made from the razor wire installed on borders
Its shape resembles the classic style of ancient Greece and Rome, the cradle of civilization and the foundation of intellectual Europe.
Razor Wire nº22 is the same model that Serbia or Hungary use to prevent theirselves from refugees
The razor wire is gold plated in 24K symbolizing the economic borders
When lit, the diffuser projects a shocking canvas of shadows on the walls
Bewildering shadows of blades
The sculpture has a dimension of 120cm height and 60cm diameter
Detail of the union of the gold plated razor wire and the marble base
Picture of the process of cutting the razor wire
Detail of the light dimmer and electrical cord
"Welcome?" is a controversial piece that leaves open questions about border walls
