Working Cardboard Lamp
Amelia M.
(excluding bulb and wiring) single wall corrugated cardboard and hot glue
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Excluding the bulb and wiring, this fully functioning lamp is made entirely of single-wall corrugated cardboard which I cut, carved, shaped, and peeled. The lamp was inspired by elements of art nouveau such as the use of natural curves as well as flora and fauna motifs, which are reflected in the cylindrical edges of the lampshade, and the leaf-like carvings on the sides and top of the lamp. The leaf shaped cut-outs on the top of the lamp not only function as a decorative element when the light is off, but also project an abstract leaf pattern on the ceiling when the light is on. To make the lamp work seamlessly, I made the shade removable so that the light bulb could be easily changed. In addition, to help the lampstand sit stably, I carved a rectangular opening in the side of the base for the cord to pass through without impairing the lamp’s balance. Finally, I made sure there were a few inches of space from every dimension between the cardboard, which is flammable, and the incandescent lightbulb so that the lamp would not catch on fire, and the glue would not melt, shifting the pieces of the lamp out of place. Although using an LED bulb would have avoided these problems entirely, working with an incandescent bulb challenged me to develop my design skills and think creatively but also pragmatically, working around restrictions and ultimately creating both a beautiful and functional product.
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For me, creativity means letting your mind wander from the stresses of everyday life to express yourself and find joy in the process of making art.
