LINDSEY
ADELMAN
The work made by Lindsey Adelman Studio is very exciting. She designs lamps made up of modular systems, working closely with the craftsmen who are involved with the production‌.
What does light mean to you? I am interested in designing for this immaterial substance. Chandelier design is really about calculating form to create effects with light. I still am quite seduced by the process. How did you begin? I began playing around with electrical parts I could find and combining with more precious materials.
Tell us about the process of working with the metal artisan to “industrialize� the metal pieces that are part of your lighting collection? I have a degree in Industrial Design which provided a terrific foundation to approach machine shops to engineer the parts further. I really love designing systems that can be used in endless combinations. All the elements in your objects are very important, because they are reduced to a minimum. As you work with glass, is each globe different, and does that make each unit unique? Yes each globe varies by nature which makes each fixture unique.
How is working with Michiko Sakano? She does a great job. Do you design glass shapes and give them to her for fabrication or does she participate in the design process? For globes she fabricates them but helped to develop the process to arrive at the right form. For other Collections, like Catch, Michiko is very deeply involved.
You use glass with several finishes, milky or white; for the structure, you use brass, cooper, bronze, aluminium, high gloss black or white. There are very few in which you incorporate colour, only the two last ones, “Marina Illuminati” and “BB.14.05”, why you do not use colour often? What does colour mean for you? I use color sparingly. But keep returning to gray, red, and pink. What is the philosophy of your firm? To design and build with care. Have you ever had a mentor that has supported and guided you? I learned so much working with David Weeks from 1999-2004. How do your ideas come up? What are your sources of inspiration? Are you influenced by anyone? Some examples of inspiration: I am influenced by walking on the beach, clothing by Tsumori Chisato, and sculpture by Calder and Richard Tuttle. What have been the best and the worst moments of your professional life? Best: I love being in the flow of working on an idea. I love process. This is why I keep going back to it – it is a high and there is magic in the place where you can’t see the end. Worst: EMAIL.
What would be your ideal project? My favourite project right now is designing a set for the next video I am shooting. What is beauty for you? Authenticity.
Tell us about a normal day in your work. Take my son to school, meditate, return emails, meet with staff and clients, eat a kale wrap for lunch, more meetings, sketching, making he rounds to say hello to my 20 employees, email, put out any fires, go home.
Which project has been your biggest success? I really enjoyed the porcelain chandelier installation we just completed at the Peninsula Hotel in NY. What is your biggest dream for the future? To continue to support Robin Hood Foundation fighting poverty in NYC. To screen my video in the spring and keep making more. Any advice? Follow what you love.
MDBY LINDSEY ALDEMAN For more information and pictures, visit: www.mdesignby.com/mdby-li/ www.mdesignby.com/mdby-lindsey-adelman-2/