New York-based design group Colony is righting the wrongs in the independent design world – a cooperative movement designed to work for the designer, not just with them. In an age of increasingly tight margins as material costs rise, beneficial relationships between distributors and designers are ever more important. Lighting studio Kawabi is emerging as a star addition to Colony’s roster of artists, presenting three inaugural lighting concepts: the Souvenir Collection, the Legume Lamp, and the Cascade Pendant.
These three handmade-to-order collections instill a sense of calm – organic, swooping paper forms give way to sturdy wooden bases, accented with charming brass hardware. This simple celebration of the material, translated uniquely into lighting, offers a glimpse of how we can elegantly blend innovation and tradition. The Souvenir Collection, characterized by its signature double-orbed shape is inspired by a lamp found in San Francisco’s Chinatown. This iconic shape is featured in the Souvenir Table Lamp, as well as the Souvenir Floor Lamp. An organic form held in space by two sturdy legs at either end, this collection celebrates the ancient art of paper lighting while steering us into this century with modern accents.
The Legume Lamp is a clever example of how an organic form can be interpreted by the human eye. Two bulbous ends with a slim middle remind one of a cheeky peanut, with a solid wooden base to ground us in reality and elevate the look. Traditionally constructed in Brooklyn with the finest materials, this lamp would fit in anywhere within the home, from the study to the bedroom. The warm glow of paper is a great example of how materiality can take on a peaceful feeling, and offer a respite from the busy world outside.
“We’ve always considered our creative practice to be a practice about love and cooperation because we’re trying to find harmony in the things we make and the way we collaborate,” say Aaron and Irisa Kawabi, the founders and creative minds behind the studio. “When we made our first light together, we knew instantly that it was the perfect medium to carry out an intention of resonance and attunement. That same light became the seed of our opening collection with Colony and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share it in their thoughtful curation.”
The Cascade Pendant features softly bisecting organic forms, slowly curving into shapes that are made to accept the paper bulbs. The rule of threes is evident here, delicately balanced and perfectly proportional to the wooden housing. Each angle offers a new and fresh perspective, with every piece organically descending into the other like water rushing down a mountain pass.
“I am struck by Irisa and Aaron’s ability to draw from traditional Asian iconography and bring forth designs that are contemporary and fresh,” says Jean Lin, founder of Colony. “Because of our full roster, busy workload and commitment to our Residency program, I rarely have the pleasure of inviting new designers to join Colony nowadays. Kawabi, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting and genuine new design voices to enter our market and I’m so looking forward to sharing their work with our audience and clients.”
To learn more about Kawabi, visit their website at kawabi.com, and for more on Colony’s work, visit goodcolony.com.
