Light As Art: nu. Light Sculpture

My design passion extend beyond the physicality of mere objects. It is also about the human experience and the spatial relationships light creates within our built environment ~ Ilan El, director & designer of ilanel. 

The relationship between light and art is flourishing and there is something beautiful about a light that can illuminate a room whilst also being aesthetically captivating.

Melbourne designer, Ilan El knows this and has spent years exploring illumination and lighting’s relationship in the design environment.

El is the creative engine behind bespoke lighting design studio, ilanel where he ensures his design challenges the physical form to create products that are mesmerising, evoke emotion and effortlessly engage their environment.

His latest piece nu. light sculpture is a flexible and engaging light piece inspired by the contemporary Japanese dance ‘Butoh’.

Butoh was developed in 1959 (post World War II) and was initially considered a controversial expression of dance where performers wear white body make up and move in “hyper-controlled” motions.

nu. light sculpture reflects the freedom in Butoh through its’ adjustable form which features four elongated rays of light representing limbs and creating formations of expression.

Acrylic diffusers join nu. light sculptures’ body which is constructed from American Oak Ply timber (partly recycled by nature) which is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved.

 

El sees this light as flexible enough to decorate a multitude of interior spaces.

“I see this piece being installed in spaces ranging from contemporary to traditional,” he explains.

“I personally love the juxtaposition of old & new. I think my contemporary lighting designs look wonderful in traditional environments. It brings an interesting design mix to the space.”

nu. light sculpture will come in a few different stained finishes to suit varying spaces and El welcomes special requests as bespoke creations is what his studio does best.

ilanel’s design vision and collection reflects that the studio was early to capture a market that has moved from consumers choosing the practical down light or traditional drop-down pendant to a place where lighting pieces have taken centre stage in a space.

Lights are becoming art installations, they’re sculptured into beautiful forms and use mixed materials including glass, metal, timber and iron as demonstrated in many of ilanel’s striking designs.

“Since most of my lights are statement pieces, I notice people are choosing them as focal points within their interiors,” he explains. As such, I put great emphasis on the the sculptural qualities of my pieces and always consider their dual presence – on and off.”

In addition, El’s mostly international consumers’ delight in the fact that his lighting pieces are designed in Melbourne, Australia and manufactured locally which is not an easy feat – economically.

El is moving to attract a greater local market and has a showroom of his lighting pieces at 3 Wellington Street, St Kilda, Melbourne.

However, if you’re not in the city, I promise you will still be digitally captivated by the collection online at www.ilanel.com

Check out rain – it’s my personal favourite!