The Lighthouse Presents Fulguro: Les Liseuses
April 28, 2009 | Levent OZLER
As part of a series of exhibitions profiling the work of young Swiss designers, The Lighthouse presents Fulguro: Les Liseuses. Following the first UK showing of re-HOUSE, re-HOUSE/bath and Volet Vert in 2006, The Lighthouse now unveils a series of new Fulguro products inspired by the French word "Liseuses". Fulguro: Les Liseuses. runs in the Review Gallery at The Lighthouse from 1 May - 28 June 2009."In French the word 'Liseuses' has several meanings all connected with the pursuit of reading," explain Yves Fidalgo and Cedric Decroux of Fulguro. "A liseuse can be a lamp, a small table on which to place books, a dust jacket, a paperknife, a bookmark or even a bed jacket."
The act of reading needs only a few things to be fully enjoyed - a comfortable seat, good lighting and a naturally pleasant environment. Identifying and putting together a selection of products Fulguro is now set to turn the Lighthouse Review Gallery into a domestic environment, designed especially for reading, but with a special twist - all the featured products are re-imaginings of beach-ware: sun bed, sun shade and base, beach towel, blanket etc.
Simplicity, efficiency and flexibility are the essential components Fulguro's work, whether in the areas of product design, exhibition design or graphic design and visually, their projects have an improvised feel to them, resembling Claude Levi-Strauss's concept of "bricolage."
La Lampe
The lampshade created for Les Liseuses is produced from canvas tent fabric mounted on a seven-sided structure to create a design reminiscent of a sunshade. The geometrical structure forms a surface through which light is diffused so as to create the right ambience for reading. This lamp can then be hung on various branches of a natural beech pole allowing it to be repositioned to modulate the effect of the lighting.
La Chaise Longue
The seat is a literal remake of a sun bed in function and form, with curved tubes and a simple and light structure. However, the fabric of the seating surface has been adapted to the new environment i.e. the indoor setting. The seating surface is composed of a fabric braiding made from cotton-towel-like textile bands. Stuffed with foam, these bands add comfort to this piece of furniture allowing it to become part of an environment perfect for leisurely reading.
Le Signet
The small side table is specifically adapted to hold books and magazines. The "cake slice" cut into the table's surface reveals the construction beneath with its frame devised in such a way as to form a handy bookmark. Meanwhile the table is supported by a pole positioned in a zinc coated steel base, which is inspired by the bases seen supporting sunshades on terraces and in outdoor cafes.
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