• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Bahaus Style with the Wagenfeld Lampe
In its relatively short lifespan, the renowned Bahaus school in Weimar,Germany has produced some of the best designers of the 20th centuryand gave birth to the so-called Bahaus style. Often associated with theInternational Style, the Bahaus style is characterized by the melding of both fine and applied art, the emphasis on function, and the lack of ornamental elements. One example of a design that has mirrored thesequalities almost to perfection is the Wagenfeld Lampe by WilhelmWagenfeld.Both a student and a professor at the Bahaus, Wilhelm Wagenfeld hasgiven life to some of the iconic industrial designs of the modern age. The Wagenfeld Lampe is one of them. Also called the Bahaus Lamp,the Wagenfeld Lampe is a table lamp constructed from industrial steeland glass. It was designed by Wagenfeld in collaboration with designerKarl Jucker in 1924, a time wherein the Bahaus was being re-organizedunder the administration of Hungarian artist Lazlo Moholy Nagy.According to the story, Wagenfeld created the Lampe as a solution to aproblem given to him by Nagy while he still a journeyman at theschool.In line with most modernist designs of the day, the Wagenfeld Lampeutilized materials that were originally intended for industrial products. Two versions of the lamp exist: a glass one and the steel one. In theglass version of the Wagenfeld lamp, the tubular stand and roundedbase are constructed from two separate pieces of high gauge steel. The steel parts are coated with a layer of polished chrome, althoughsome lamps are coated with nickel that fives off a yellowish patina overtime. On the other hand, in the glass version the stand and base isconstructed from thick industrial grade steel. The glass stand also hasa nickel tube in its core, creating an “X-ray effect”. Because of itsconstruction, the glass version is much difficult to produce than thesteel and also more expensive.However, both steel and glass versions of theWagenfeld Lampe feature a shade made from opal-colored spherical translucent glass. The ball-shaped is created by being mouth-blown, and is intentionallymade translucent to help diffuse the light and prevent glare. The lampalso features a specially made spout where the pull cord comes out,and the electrical feed line is covered with fire-resistant fabric. Wagenfeld and Jucker were said to have achieved “maximum simplicityand greatest economy” with the Wagenfeld Lampe as it used only themost basic of geometric shapes. Also, it should be pointed out thatdespite being an industrial design, the original Lampe was completely
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...