Arcadia
The Light
For my sophomore studio, we were tasked with designing luminaires. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to create something delicate, handmade, and crafted using a new technique. I was particularly drawn to working with paper—but not in the conventional way. My inspiration came from the intricate patterns and soft textures found in nature, especially mushrooms.
Dimensions
- L” 20 in
- W” 22 in
-
H” 20 in
Material
- Tracing Paper
- Glue
Production
- Paper MAche
- Metal Bending
- MIG Welding
- Bandsaw
- Sanding Belt
Finish
- Metal Finishing Wax
Soft textures and repeating patterns in nature have always drawn me in, especially in mushrooms. There’s something mesmerizing about the way their forms unfold—delicate, layered, and quietly complex. I’m fascinated by the way gills radiate out in perfect rhythm, or how caps curl and fold like petals, each one slightly different but still part of a larger pattern. These natural repetitions feel both intentional and effortless, and they became a key influence in how I approached form and texture in this piece. I wanted to echo that same sense of softness and structure—something that feels organic, but also carefully built.
Process
I experimented with a variety of papers, including rice paper and mulberry paper, but ultimately found that tracing paper offered the perfect balance of durability and moldability for my design.
To build the form, I used papier-mâché over two large balloons, then individually attached each petal to create the layered texture. This process alone took over 140 hours. Once the form was complete, I turned to the metal structure—two metal discs sandwiching the spheres, held together with a custom fixture. I also wired two separate light cords to merge into a single plug.
Finding the right type of bulb was essential. I needed something that would emit just the right amount of warm, diffuse light. Eventually, I came across 18-inch fluorescent bulbs that gave off a soft yellow glow—exactly what I had envisioned.