Lithuanian designer Vainius Kubilius has taken the humble lamp and turned it into something truly ethereal. Made almost entirely from naturally-occurring materials, the artist’s creations feature intricate carvings, which in turn cast exotic, and somewhat magical, patterns of light on the adjacent walls. His designs, collectively called “Nymphs”, are known for their mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow; a kaleidoscope of brightness and darkness.

Originally a fashion photographer, Kubilius became interested in light art, when he first came across Calabarte, a Polish artist who uses African gourds to craft stunning handcrafted lamps. It took him nine, long months to build the first lamp, using coconut shells, suede and wine corks. Today, the artist follows a much more efficient and time-saving technique that allows him to produce a spectacular lamp piece in only a couple of days. Speaking about his passion, Kubilius said:

I stumbled upon some shadow art projects on the internet. Amazed by the concept of art not having boundaries like paper, I started desiring to own a piece of it. The problem is that either the light art was poorly made or it was amazing, but too expensive. So I decided to create it myself. From then, I became obsessed with it… For Christmas, a friend brought me a candlestick made from coconuts. I used it to make my first lamps and understood it was everything I needed.

The process of crafting these magnificent light artwork begins with the search for the biggest and roundest coconut, which is then shaved, sanded and waxed to a smooth and shiny finish. The white, fleshy meat is then carefully removed through a 2 cm hole, drilled at the bottom of the coconut. Following that, the designer embarks on a painstaking process of carving tiny, yet precise, holes across the shell, to create a beautifully artistic pattern. Once the head of the lamp is ready, Kubilius creates the base using flexible wires, wrapped in suede. He said:

The head of the lamp is made out of coconut, but after careful shaving, waxing, and drilling, it shines like some sort of jewel.

The lamp’s twisted base actually resembles the coiled body of a snake, making it look all the more exotic. The coconut shell is finally attached to the base, by means of a painted wine cork. The absence of hooks and screws ensures that the user can easily remove the coconut to replace the light bulb. According to Kubilius, the lamps, like human beings, have four constitutive parts: the soul made up of wires, plugs and switches; the bones composed of metal wires; the skin consisting of the decorated suede cover and the brain, basically the beautiful coconut shell. In an interview with My Modern Met, the artist said:

Not all light patterns look good. By creating many of them I learned what looks best and what people enjoy the most. I want people who turn my lamp on in the evenings to feel like they’re in a magical place surrounded by a unique and relaxing atmosphere. Nymphs’s lamps create a small oasis in every interior.

When asked the reason behind naming his collection “Nymphs”, the designer was reported saying

I used to shoot models covered in neon paint under UV light. The pictures were very mystical and the girls really looked like magical creatures… It’s a feeling of passion, seduction and romance. An inspiration to men coming from women.

To know more about the artist, head over to his official website.

Via: A Plus