Lamp Fabrication
Lucerna’s form was shaped from rolled and soldered steel rods, creating a dynamic spiral frame that references scrollwork and storytelling. The cross-supports were custom-cut based on each fish skin’s unique curve and width, while the visible bulb reinforces the idea of light as revelation.
Obscura, by contrast, was constructed from hexagonal steel components, precise and grounded. Six dyed panels enclose a hidden bulb, with its symbolism revealed only when lit. The interior ring, positioned 50mm above the base, subtly conceals the light source; enhancing its introspective character.
Both lamps rest on turned yew bases, cut from log blanks and treated with Danish oil and beeswax. The unique purple tones of the wood became an unexpected material echo of the skin itself, reinforcing the project’s theme of natural variation and material integrity.
Panels were hand-whipstitched and cross-stitched to their frames using 2mm black waxed cotton thread, while embroidery was applied using a CAD embroidery machine. Lucerna’s five symbols tell a story of transformation from water to craft to future. Obscura’s three embroidered spirals reference ancestral Ainu markings of memory and protection.