To our modern eyes, some things from the ancient past look as alien as the alleged extraterrestrial objects we see on TV. They exude both beauty and oddity in a way that’s still familiar yet also far out of reach. At the same time, they serve as inspiration for many modern designs, particularly art pieces.
The ancient jars known as amphorae, for example, are pretty useless today, but their curved forms can serve as decorative pieces. Add a few glowing lights wrapping around these vessels, and you’ve got a collection of art objects that have an alien atmosphere around them, almost like the artifacts of an advanced civilization long gone.
Designer: Lionel Dinis Salazar, Jonathan Omar (Doppel Studio)
There is just something mystifying and eye-catching about this series of neon-lit ceramic jars inspired by those ancient amphorae. On the one hand, you can clearly see the basic shapes of the vessels, their tall bodies and curved profiles complemented by their earthy terracotta material. On the other hand, it’s hard to ignore the tubes of light winding around and into the shapes, like otherworldly snakes phasing in and out of the containers.
The Néophore series, which literally means “new carriers,” is more than just a work of art; it’s also a product of craftsmanship and ingenuity. Normally, the texture of terracotta is rough and dull, but a special enamel made using natural materials gives it a glossy finish that’s sensitive to the luminosity of the neon lights. It reflects and highlights the lighting.
The effect of the lights is even more eerie when all other lights are turned off. You can only see the outline of the sides of the jars and containers as if they were covert shadowy figures hinted at only by these thick strands of light. Fans of the sci-fi TRON franchise might be familiar with the visual effect, further driving home the image of the objects as fantastical artifacts.
These objects can function as lamps in addition to decorative pieces, at least depending on how much light you really need. The juxtaposition of ancient design and modern technology is almost like a reflection of man’s journey through the history of manufacturing and craftsmanship. The combination of two entirely unrelated pieces also becomes a source of inspiration, highlighting the milestones of civilization in an interesting and novel way.
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