Blossom

“Innovation that rebels against itself, turning functionality into an interior decoration accessory.” Thus Francesco Bonami summarises the design philosophy pursued by Gio Ponti, apropos Tobias Rehberger’s interpretation of it in the special issue (no. 911) that Domus dedicated to its founder. Could this reference to Ponti be spot-on and justified as regards the design work of Hella Jongerius? In her exploration of multiple object and product types, Jongerius does indeed express a high degree of innovation, especially in her experimental use of materials – ranging from strictly artisan practices to the most advanced industrial technologies. Witness her soft Folded Washtub for Droog Design, 1997, the Four Seasons porcelain for Nymphenburg, 2007, or The Worker armchair for Vitra Home Collection, 2006. The innovation indisputably possessed by Hella’s designs often seems, however, to turn against itself. A detail – the button designed for the upholstering of an armchair, or her mawkish little tea cosy “dress” – can reduce the experimental to the banal. Functionality becomes decoration in an apparent overlapping of signs and techniques, conceptuality and concreteness. Hella Jongerius adopted this line again in Blossom, a system of lamps designed in 2006 for Belux and now featured in all its variants in the Swiss company’s sales catalogue. But does it still make sense to talk about types of floor lamps that carry three diffusers on a single stem, offering as many functionalities (general, task, and reading light) by using lampshades of different shapes and colours and connected by a boldly exhibited electric cable? And what about the leather, terracotta and felt used for the stem base? Like petals in flowers of varying sizes and colours, the lamps can be suspended from the ceiling singly or in groups, while also aesthetically exploiting their spontaneous confi guration of cables. With an awkward-looking small bronze switch, fitted directly onto the shade, to tell how functionality can be decor. MCT

The forms of blossom are archetypes but big and bold like large flowers.

The quest was to design an informal lamp that was easy to install, flexible, comfortable, technical and a true character. The collection of technical spots from Belux is the inspiration for Blossom’s design. Instead of the small, high-tech light fixtures, the forms of Blossom are archetypes but big and bold like large flowers. Instead of the whispering aluminium, the material is now outspoken and colourful with the combination of anodising and lacquer. The long, flexible wires look like they sew together the spots on the stick, making it look less stiff. The leather or felt shoe gives the product an interesting material switch; the terracotta makes the foot attractive and new. The small on-and-off switch in bronze is the perfect marriage of high-tech and low-tech craftsmanship and brings a sweet detail. H.J.