Canyon Lamp

03/14/2021

12 in* 6 in*10 in

Hardwood

During study at Cranbrook Academy of Art, we had a workshop on gesture recognition, led by British designer Timi. In this workshop, I combined organic shapes and gesture recognition, so I made a lamp called the Canyon Lamp, the shape is inspired by Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Each layer gradually changes its shape when viewed in profile so that the audience can appreciate the beauty of change from this asymmetry. The gradually soothing form pulls people's minds to the actual scene as if they are really in the canyon. At the same time, there is a camera that can capture the audience's gestures. When people thumb up, the light strip will slowly light up as if they are exploring. The leader of the team and the people behind indicate that everything is safe in front and can continue to move forward. Still, when people's palms face the camera, the light strip will stop moving, as if the leader is saying something is wrong in front, so everyone prevents and keeps quiet. This immersive experience of the combination of the audience and the object itself has changed the whole meaning of using lights, from simply using light for lighting to exploring in one's own small space. It is precise because the lamp's shape is so organic that it brings this experience.