Turning War into Art: Amarist Studio's "Friendly Fire" Lamp

Award-winning design studio redefines the purpose of a wartime artifact, transforming it into a unique, functional piece of art.

From the battlefield to the living room, Amarist Studio presents "Friendly Fire", a sculptural lamp that repurposes the design of a common 20th-century projectile. This piece, a testament to the transformative power of design, is a limited edition, artisan-made work that challenges perceptions and redefines the purpose of an object associated with destruction.

The inspiration for "Friendly Fire" came from the most commonly used projectile of the last century. The designers at Amarist Studio, Clara Campo and Arán Lozano, sought to change its meaning and elevate industrial design into functional art. The result is a lamp composed of three mortar grenades, each meticulously crafted to explore the beauty in the shape and design of a mortar shell.

The body of the lamp is hand-sculpted from a block of Alabaster Stone, while the brass entities are laser cut, welded, and plated in 24-Karat Gold. This attention to detail and commitment to quality materials accurately reproduces the 80mm mortar shell grenade, a common projectile used in the last century. The lamp's design is not only a testament to the designers' skill but also a poignant commentary on the transformation of objects from tools of destruction to pieces of art.

The creation of "Friendly Fire" was not without its challenges. The design team faced the creative hurdle of building an exact replica of the projectile piece by piece using noble materials. The most difficult part was sculpting the thinner parts of the body in alabaster stone with the thread to attach the brass ring. However, their perseverance and dedication to the project resulted in a unique, limited edition lamp that is as much a piece of art as it is a functional object.

The "Friendly Fire" lamp was officially presented at Venice Design 2018 during the Architecture Biennial. It has since been recognized for its innovative design and outstanding craftsmanship, winning Silver in the A' Limited Edition and Custom Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation.

With "Friendly Fire", Amarist Studio has not only created a unique and functional piece of art but also sparked a conversation about the transformative power of design. By repurposing a symbol of destruction into a source of light, they challenge perceptions and redefine the purpose of everyday objects. This innovative approach to design is a testament to their creativity and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.