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A magnum opus originates as a kernel of vision, a seed rooted in the fertile ground of inspiration, flourishing into a tangible creation yet indelibly bound to its origin. This philosophy is animated by the deep-rooted, ritualistic process behind the Copper Roots lighting collection conceived by British artists James Russell and Hannah Plumb, founders of the creative studio JAMESPLUMB, who 'make both objects and environments'. The lighting designers' act of rooting lights transforms into a profound metaphor for creation. "While it might seem absurd to describe this act as planting, the sense of being rooted—placing something in the ground as an act of nurture and transformation—is profoundly similar," shares Russell in an official statement.
The immersive installations are showcased at the ongoing solo exhibition aptly named Rooted. at Gallery FUMI, in London, UK. Running from November 1, 2024 - January 25, 2024, the design exhibition features warped chandeliers, candelabras, wall sconces and mobiles, encapsulating the studio's craftsmanship that embodies a sense of stability while alluding to the organic cycle of genesis.
The series of twisted lamp designs was conceived in 2022 when the installation artists relocated from London to the Shropshire Hills to restore a derelict farmhouse. "During the renovation, they discovered old copper pipework which inspired the creation of Copper Roots, repurposing the copper from a conduit for water into a pathway for electricity," the project's press release mentions. The epiphany resulted in intricate, winding copper sculptures cradling counterbalanced lamp holders which coalesce the fluidity of natural forms with the precision of engineering.
"Intricately formed from twisting copper tubes that cradle counterweighted lamp holders, the new series is a testament to JAMESPLUMB's dedication to transforming found objects into timeless pieces. Each lamp can be individually added or removed, lighting up when placed and turning off when taken away," shares Gallery FUMI.
Inspired by JAMESPLUMB's anterior Steel Roots series, Copper Roots represents a refined transition from the rugged texture of steel rebar and open candlelight to an electrified, copper-based iteration. Low-voltage LED bulbs suspended from the contorted tubes replicate the subtle warmth and evocative glow of candle flames. The adaptive design allows lamp-holders to be interchanged with candleholders, offering a nuanced interplay between the fleeting flicker of a candle and the enduring presence of electric light. Each piece is meticulously crafted, down to the springs in the bulb holders, ensuring the original ambience, fragility and ritualistic balance of Steel Roots are preserved and evolved.
The "act of making", as a ritual and reverence for the natural world, is central to the lighting designers' oeuvre. Their conviction is embodied in the Rooted lamp-holders, where each piece is crafted from local stones, sand and Shropshire lime, to realise a coarse limecrete base. Emulating roots, these anchors are cast and solidified within earth-dug moulds and supported by coppiced hazel structures that evoke agricultural methods. This grounding process aligns with the exhibition's theme, as each piece is 'planted' in the earth, symbolising a literal connection to place and a metaphorical rooting in local materiality.
Rooted. embodies a nonpareil exploration of "delicate balance, contrasting fragility with solidity and permanence with impermanence, while highlighting the interplay between the material and immaterial," according to the press statement. The fluid copper contours intertwined with the robust, grounded limecrete forms, capture the poetic tension between strength and fragility. JAMESPLUMB invites viewers to explore a captivating interplay of opposing forces—where gravity meets lightness and craftsmanship merges with conceptual depth. Through these finely tuned contrasts, the lighting designs reveal a space where the tangible and the abstract converge.
'Rooted.' is on view from November 1, 2024 - January 25, 2025, at Gallery FUMI, 2-3 Hay Hill, W1J 6AS, Mayfair, London.
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