Crysalis Lamp

Ode to a Himalayan Butterfly – The Butterfly Lamp

The Story

The Himalayan region contains one of the most dynamic and complex mountain systems in the world. This moun­tain system is extremely vulnerable to global warming. Knowing how climate change is impacting our environment is vital, especially as its effects become more and more apparent. Yet, most of us are unable to translate complex research into accessible information. My goal was to communicate this impact through design, and the result of this is shown here in my design project, Ode to a Himalayan Butterfly.

Butterfly populations are indicators of a healthy environment change as they are very sensitive to their environment. Over the past couple of years I have been I have been researching various Himalayan butterflies that are on the verge of extinction. This research has led me to the creation of the Insecta Lepidoptera lamp.

I want to share this information through design, art, and technology so that it can reach a wider audience and hopefully stimulate conversation around what we as humans can do to ensure that our planet is taken care of.

The Design

Inspired by the chrysalis of a butterfly, this lamp focuses on the transformation process and seeks to combine traditional methods with 3D printing and aluminium casting finished by hand.

Many of the characteristics that our brains recognize from insects, like wings, antennae, elusive colors and shapes, were eliminated to create a form that was alienlike and futuristic. This was intentional to create more of a scientific approach and therefore an urgency to pay attention. The basic forms of construction that are present in most butterflies are absent allowed me to rethink what a butterfly can be.

The second part involves the art of glassblowing. molten glass is blown into the frame, expanding and taking shape within and beyond the frame. I wanted it to feel as though a butterfly is about to morph and emerge- showing something beautiful yet alien like at the same time. The final result is a merging on glass and metal.