Blossom: An Articulating Light Fixture by Jesse Stefani

An Innovative Design that Transforms Lighting

When watching a television show featuring San Francisco artist Reuben Margolin, Jesse Stefani found inspiration for his latest design project. Margolin's kinetic sculptures made from wood and nylon cord sparked Stefani's imagination, leading him to create the Blossom lamp.

What sets the Blossom lamp apart is its unconventional approach to lighting control. Instead of relying on an electronic wall dimmer switch, this fixture uses a series of bronze pulleys and stainless cables to articulate eight bent birch arms. With a hand crank located on a wall near the power switch, users can raise and lower the diffuser arms to adjust the amount of light for any occasion.

The realization of this design involved the use of computer-aided design (CAD) to engineer the steel framework and ensure smooth movement. The steel plate was then water jet cut with precision, minimizing costs while maintaining tolerances within .001". The pulleys, made of bronze, were spun, molded, and cast in-house. The diffuser arms, on the other hand, required a special mold template to laminate the birch wood into the desired form.

The Blossom lamp measures 1168 mm in height, 254 mm wide when closed, and 1092 mm wide when open. It is designed to be hung from the ceiling like traditional fixtures but offers a unique interactive experience. A pulley system guides a stainless cable from the ceiling mount to a wall-mounted crank system or lever, allowing users to control the aperture of the lamp.

Stefani began working on the Blossom lamp in the summer of 2010 in Keego Harbor, Michigan, and completed it in January 2013. The lamp was exhibited at DAM (Detroit Artist Market) from January 16th to February 16th, 2013.

Extensive research went into the development of the Blossom lamp. Stefani conducted experiments with mock-ups, observing how individuals interacted with both static and articulating lamps. The results were clear: people were drawn to the option of manipulating the physical shape of the lamp in their environment and controlling ambient light.

Overcoming challenges was an integral part of the design process. Stefani had to gain a deep understanding of pulley systems and find ways to incorporate them into the design while ensuring smooth functionality.

The Blossom lamp's innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship have garnered recognition in the design community. It was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Lighting Products and Fixtures category in 2013. This prestigious accolade is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, evoking positive emotions and wonder.

The Blossom lamp is a testament to Jesse Stefani's ability to think outside the box and create functional art that transforms the way we experience lighting.